Statins Equivalent Dose Calculator

What is Statin Equivalent Dosing

Statin equivalent dosing means matching the right dose of one statin to another so they lower cholesterol by about the same amount. Not all statins are equally strong, for example., 10 mg of rosuvastatin is much stronger than 10 mg of simvastatin. When doctors or pharmacists switch a patient from one statin to another, they use equivalent dosing to make sure the new medicine works just as well.

This helps keep cholesterol under control and prevents side effects from too much or too little medication. Knowing equivalent doses is important for safe and effective treatment of high cholesterol.

Statins Conversion Table

Statin	10 mg	20 mg	40 mg	80 mg
Atorvastatin	—	≈30% LDL↓	≈45% LDL↓	≈55-60% LDL↓
Rosuvastatin	≈45% LDL↓	≈52% LDL↓	—	—
Simvastatin	≈27% LDL↓	≈35% LDL↓	≈42% LDL↓	≈48% LDL↓
Pravastatin	≈22% LDL↓	≈30% LDL↓	≈37% LDL↓	—
Lovastatin	≈21% LDL↓	≈27% LDL↓	≈31% LDL↓	—
Fluvastatin	≈22% LDL↓ (40 mg BID)	—	—	—
Pitavastatin	≈33% LDL↓ (2 mg)	≈39% LDL↓ (4 mg)	—	—

Are Statins Interchangeable

While most Statins they all work in a similar way, they are not exactly interchangeable without making dose changes. This is because some statins are stronger than others, even if the milligram (mg) amount looks the same. For example, 10 mg of rosuvastatin lowers cholesterol much more than 10 mg of simvastatin.

If a doctor or pharmacist switches someone from one statin to another, they must adjust the dose to make sure the new statin works just as well and keeps the patient safe from side effects.

Average LDL-C Reduction by Statins

Average LDL-C Reduction by Statins means how much statins lower the “bad” cholesterol (called LDL cholesterol) in the blood on average. Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and protect the heart. Different statins and doses lower LDL by different amounts.

For example, some statins can lower LDL by about 20-30%, while stronger ones can lower it by 50% or more. Knowing the average LDL-C reduction helps doctors and pharmacists choose the right statin and dose for each person. It makes sure patients get the best cholesterol control and reduces their risk of heart attack or stroke.

Why Understanding Equivalent Statin Doses Is Important

Different statins work at different strengths. For example, a small dose of rosuvastatin can lower cholesterol as much as a larger dose of simvastatin. If a doctor wants to change a patient from one statin to another, it’s very important to choose the right dose to get the same effect. Giving too low a dose may not lower cholesterol enough, and too high a dose can increase the risk of side effects like muscle pain or liver problems.

Why do pharmacy professionals need to know this?

Pharmacy workers help check prescriptions and keep patients safe. They need to know which statin doses are “equal” so they can catch mistakes or help doctors and patients when medicines are switched. For example, if a doctor switches someone from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin, the pharmacy should check that the new dose gives the same benefit.

When a doctor or pharmacist needs to switch a patient from one statin to another, they must use the right equivalent dose so the new medicine works just as well and keeps cholesterol under control.

If they don’t match the dose correctly:
✅ The new statin might be too weak, and cholesterol stays high.
✅ Or it might be too strong, causing more side effects like muscle pain.