Differences between the statins?

Statins are drugs that can lower your cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol.
Statins include well-known medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and others. Lower cost generic versions of many statin medications are available.
Although statins are well tolerated by most people, they do have side effects, some of which may go away as your body adjusts to the medication

Common, less serious side effects
Muscle and joint aches (most common)
Nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation.

Potentially serious side effects
Liver damage. Occasionally, statin use causes an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase is only mild, you can continue to take the drug. If the increase is severe, you may need to stop taking it, which usually reverses the problem. If left unchecked, increased liver enzymes can lead to permanent liver damage.
Muscle problems. Statins may cause muscle pain and tenderness (statin myopathy). The higher the dose of statin you take, the more likely you are to have muscle pains. In severe cases, muscle cells can break down (rhabdomyolysis) and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can damage your kidneys.
For more information on specific statins see:
https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/hmg-coa-reductase-inhibitors.html - click on the individual drug names.