Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are equally effective in cutting the risk of death and cardiac events despite greater LDL cholesterol lowering with rosuvastatin, show results from a head-to-head trial.

At the same time, rosuvastatin therapy carries a higher risk of new-onset diabetes and cataract surgery compared with atorvastatin, according to the South Korean researchers.

The Yonsei University–led team in Seoul compared three-year efficacy and safety outcomes in 4400 adults (mean age 65) with coronary artery disease treated with either statin type.

The average daily dose was 17mg in the rosuvastatin group and 36mg in the atorvastatin group.