Compare cholesterol medications

LDL reduction, cost, coverage, and other benefits—side by side.

Effects come from different doses and studies, so the percentages are not a ranking. Prices are examples for the stated quantity, not a universal monthly cost. How to compare LDL-lowering treatments →

Showing 23 of 23 medications

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The outcome filter includes positive drug-specific trials in the populations described below; it does not imply a benefit for everyone or every combination.

MedicationLDL reductionHow it’s takenCost exampleInsurance coverageOther benefits & evidence
Statins
RosuvastatinCrestor 41–55%5–40 mg daily; pooled 3–12-week studies Once dailyOral $10.92 / 30 tablets10 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage in reviewed plans Cardiovascular benefit shownPrevention evidence, including HOPE-3.
AtorvastatinLipitor 37–51%10–80 mg daily; STELLAR, 6 weeks Once dailyOral $10.66 / 30 tablets20 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage in reviewed plans Cardiovascular benefit shownPrimary and secondary prevention trials.
SimvastatinZocor 28–39%10–40 mg daily; STELLAR, 6 weeks Every eveningOral $10.73 / 30 tablets20 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage in reviewed plans Cardiovascular benefit shownHPS and 4S; interactions can limit dosing.
PravastatinPravachol 20–30%10–40 mg daily; STELLAR, 6 weeks Once dailyOral $11.55 / 30 tablets40 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage in reviewed plans Cardiovascular benefit shownWOSCOPS and secondary prevention evidence.
Lovastatin 24–40%20–80 mg/day; EXCEL, weeks 12–48 Daily or twice dailyOral $10.96 / 30 tablets20 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage in reviewed plans Cardiovascular benefit shownPrimary prevention in AFCAPS/TexCAPS.
PitavastatinLivalo, Zypitamag 31–44%1–4 mg daily; older adults, 12 weeks Once dailyOral $25.29 / 30 tablets2 mg · cash, including standard shipping Plan-dependent; Aetna lists nonformulary Cardiovascular benefit shownREPRIEVE studied people with HIV.
FluvastatinLescol XL 22–36%20–80 mg/day capsules; 24-week medians Daily or twice dailyOral $58.04 / 30 capsules20 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic tiers vary by formulation Cardiovascular benefit shownLIPS studied patients after coronary intervention.
Non-statin tablets
EzetimibeZetia 17% alone; 21% add-onSeparate trials: alone vs. placebo; add-on from statin baseline Once dailyOral $11.63 / 30 tablets10 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic; Anthem lists prior authorization Cardiovascular benefit with a statinIMPROVE-IT studied patients after acute coronary syndrome.
Bempedoic acidNexletol 18 percentage pointsAdvantage vs. placebo on background therapy; 12 weeks Once dailyOral As low as $10 / 30 daysCopay assistance · eligible commercial insurance Prior authorization / step therapy in some plans Cardiovascular benefit shownCLEAR Outcomes studied statin-intolerant patients.
Nexlizetbempedoic acid / ezetimibe 38% vs. placeboOn background statin therapy; 12 weeks Once dailyOral As low as $10 / 30 daysCopay assistance · eligible commercial insurance Prior authorization / step therapy in some plans Evidence from its componentsBempedoic acid and ezetimibe have outcome evidence; no separate fixed-combination trial cited.
PCSK9-directed treatments
EvolocumabRepatha 59% vs. placeboOn statins; FOURIER, 48 weeks Every 2 weeks or monthlyUnder-skin injection $239 / monthManufacturer cash program; terms apply Prior authorization / quantity limits vary Cardiovascular benefit shownFOURIER studied established cardiovascular disease.
AlirocumabPraluent 62 percentage points150 mg every 2 weeks vs. placebo; background statins, 24 weeks Every 2 or 4 weeksUnder-skin injection $225 / 2 pensCash offer; supply duration depends on dose Prior authorization; Repatha may be preferred Cardiovascular benefit shownODYSSEY OUTCOMES studied recent acute coronary syndrome.
InclisiranLeqvio 50–52% vs. placeboSeparate ORION trials; day 510, background therapy Initially, at 3 months, then every 6 monthsUnder-skin injection Individual estimateDrug + administration; medical-benefit cost sharing Medical-benefit authorization; clinic administration LDL benefit establishedDedicated cardiovascular outcome evidence is not established in the cited trials.
LerodalcibepLerochol 50–59% vs. placeboSeparate populations; 24–52 weeks, background therapy MonthlyUnder-skin injection $199 / monthManufacturer cash program; terms apply Plan-specific review; Aetna lists nonformulary LDL benefit establishedNo dedicated cardiovascular outcome result in the cited pivotal trials.
EnlicitideLipfendra 56–59% vs. placeboSeparate CORALreef populations; 24 weeks, background therapy Daily, fastingOral As low as $15 / prescriptionCopay assistance · eligible private insurance; $300 savings cap Plan-specific review; Aetna lists nonformulary LDL benefit establishedNo drug-specific cardiovascular outcome result in the cited trials.
Bile-acid sequestrants
ColesevelamWelchol 15%About 3.8 g daily; from baseline, 24 weeks Daily or divided dosesOral $58.17 / 30 packets3.75 gm · cash, including standard shipping Generic tiers vary; dose limits in some plans Also improves glucose controlIndicated for type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular benefit not established.
CholestyramineQuestran, Prevalite 10.4% greater reductionVs. placebo; LRC-CPPT, average 7.4 years Powder, divided dosesOral $30.95 / 30 packets4 gm · cash, including standard shipping Generic tiers vary by plan Coronary-event benefit shownOlder prevention trial in men; can raise triglycerides.
ColestipolColestid 12–24% vs. placebo4–16 g daily tablets; dose-ranging trial Daily or divided dosesOral $21.92 / 30 tablets1 gm · cash, including standard shipping Generic tiers vary by plan LDL benefit establishedThe cited dose trial did not measure cardiovascular benefit; can raise triglycerides.
Specialist HoFH treatments
EvinacumabEvkeeza 49% vs. placeboHoFH only; on background therapy, 24 weeks IV infusion every 4 weeksIV infusion Individual estimateWeight-based drug dose + infusion charges Medical authorization for confirmed HoFH Works in severe inherited diseaseLowers LDL despite impaired LDL-receptor function; outcome benefit unestablished.
LomitapideJuxtapid 40%HoFH only; from baseline, 26-week intent-to-treat analysis Daily, titratedOral Specialty-pharmacy quoteDose, insurance, and assistance determine cost Specialty access; nonformulary in some plans Specialist HoFH optionCardiovascular benefit unestablished; liver monitoring and REMS required.
Triglyceride-focused treatments
Niacinprescription extended-release 7–16%1–2 g nightly, prescription ER; pooled median changes Nightly, titratedOral $12.80 / 30 extended-release tablets500 mg · cash, including standard shipping Prescription ER covered; some step therapy Lowers triglycerides; raises HDLNo added cardiovascular benefit with intensive statin therapy in AIM-HIGH.
FenofibrateTricor and other formulations 21% in elevated-LDL trialsFrom baseline, 3–6 months; LDL may rise when triglycerides are very high Once dailyOral $12.81 / 30 tablets145 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage; formulation rules vary Primarily lowers triglyceridesNo overall cardiovascular benefit added to a statin in ACCORD Lipid.
GemfibrozilLopid Variable; may raise LDLResponse depends on the starting triglyceride and LDL pattern Twice daily before mealsOral $12.51 / 30 tablets600 mg · cash, including standard shipping Generic coverage with some quantity limits Primarily lowers triglyceridesCoronary-event benefit in selected men in an older trial; major statin interactions.

Cash prices and offers checked October 6, 2026. Insurance varies by plan; follow each coverage link for the six-insurer breakdown and policy sources. Quantities, shipping, and assistance eligibility matter.

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