Which one of the following drugs is equivalent to a dose of 10 mg of atorvastatin?

• A. Pitavastatin 2 mg
• B. Simvastatin 20 mg
• C. Rosuvastatin 5 mg
• D. Pravastatin 40 mg

Answer: (B)

The question addresses the equivalent dosing of atorvastatin to assess the appropriate comparison to other statins. Atorvastatin is a potent statin, and its dosing equivalency to other statins helps healthcare professionals choose appropriate therapy based on potency.

Simvastatin has a greater dose equivalence compared to atorvastatin. Specifically, a 10 mg dose of atorvastatin is equivalent to approximately 20 mg of simvastatin. The reason for this equivalency is rooted in their potencies and the pharmacodynamic effects they have on LDL cholesterol reduction. This means that when comparing atorvastatin's effects on lipid levels, 10 mg provides a degree of cholesterol-lowering that is matched by a 20 mg dose of simvastatin.

In this context, the other options either represent lower potencies or dosing that does not translate to the same therapeutic effect as 10 mg of atorvastatin. For instance, pitavastatin's equivalent dosing would reflect greater potency when compared directly, and rosuvastatin and pravastatin doses would not be directly equivalent either due to their different dosing scales and potencies.

Thus, recognizing simvastatin's appropriate equivalence at 20 mg helps navigate statin therapy effectively in practice, ensuring