Crestor versus pravastatin
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Comparative Efficacy of Crestor (Rosuvastatin) vs. Pravastatin
LDL Cholesterol Reduction
Rosuvastatin Superior in LDL-C Reduction
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) has been shown to significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels more effectively than pravastatin. In a randomized, double-blind study, rosuvastatin at doses of 5 mg and 10 mg reduced LDL-C by 42% and 49%, respectively, compared to a 28% reduction with pravastatin 20 mg. This demonstrates a clear advantage of rosuvastatin in lowering LDL-C levels.
Achievement of Cholesterol Goals
Higher Achievement of NCEP and EAS Goals with Rosuvastatin
Patients treated with rosuvastatin were more likely to achieve the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel II and III goals, as well as the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) goals, compared to those treated with pravastatin. Specifically, 87% of patients on rosuvastatin 10 mg met NCEP ATP II goals, compared to 53% on pravastatin. Similarly, in the STELLAR trial, a higher percentage of patients on rosuvastatin achieved LDL-C levels <100 mg/dL compared to those on pravastatin.
Cost-Effectiveness
Rosuvastatin as a Cost-Effective Option
From a cost-effectiveness perspective, rosuvastatin has been found to be more cost-effective than pravastatin in achieving LDL-C goals. An analysis from the STELLAR trial indicated that rosuvastatin at the recommended starting dose of 10 mg was the most cost-effective statin over a range of willingness-to-pay values for a unit of clinical effect. This suggests that despite higher initial drug costs, rosuvastatin may offer better value for healthcare payers in the long term.
Atherosclerosis Regression
Potential for Atherosclerosis Regression with Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin has also shown promise in the regression of atherosclerosis. The ASTEROID study highlighted that aggressive LDL-C lowering with rosuvastatin led to significant regression of atherosclerosis, as measured by intravascular ultrasound. Although this study did not include a comparator group, the results are encouraging and suggest a potential advantage of rosuvastatin in managing atherosclerosis.
Conclusion
In summary, rosuvastatin (Crestor) demonstrates superior efficacy in reducing LDL-C levels and achieving cholesterol goals compared to pravastatin. It is also considered more cost-effective and has shown potential benefits in atherosclerosis regression. These findings make rosuvastatin a compelling choice for patients requiring intensive lipid-lowering therapy.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic