Generic Name: rosuvastatin (roe SOO va sta tin)Brand Names: Crestor
Rosuvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. It works by reducing levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Rosuvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Rosuvastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Rosuvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take rosuvastatin:
underactive thyroid;
a muscle disorder;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
a severe infection or illness; or
if you have had a very recent surgery or medical emergency.
People of Asian descent may absorb rosuvastatin at a higher rate than other people. Make sure your doctor knows if you are Asian. You may need a lower than normal starting dose.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use rosuvastatin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Rosuvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking rosuvastatin.Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.Rosuvastatin is usually taken once a day. You may take the medicine with or without food. Take rosuvastatin at the same time each day.
It is important to use rosuvastatin regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
In rare cases, rosuvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure, and may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people of Asian descent who take rosuvastatin. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.Rosuvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Do not stop using rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks of taking the medication before your condition improves. Store rosuvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.See also: Rosuvastatin dosage in more detail
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
The symptoms of a rosuvastatin overdose are not known.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Rosuvastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking rosuvastatin.Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends, and do not take it within 2 hours after taking rosuvastatin. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb rosuvastatin.
Stop taking rosuvastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
chest pain; or
swelling in your hands or feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
weakness, dizziness;
mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
memory loss;
headache; or
pain or burning when you urinate.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipoproteinemia:
Initial dose: 5 mg to 10 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa (Elevated LDL):
Initial dose: 5 mg to 10 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb (Elevated LDL + VLDL):
Initial dose: 5 mg to 10 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV (Elevated VLDL):
Initial dose: 5 mg to 10 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Atherosclerosis:
Initial dose: 5 mg to 10 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
Initial dose: 20 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 20 mg to 40 mg once a day
Usual Geriatric Dose for Hyperlipidemia:
Initial dose: 5 mg once a dayMaintenance dose: 5 mg to 20 mg once a day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
Pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age:Usual dose range: 5 to 20 mg orally once a day. Doses should be individualized according to the recommended goal of therapy. Adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more.Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra);
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), or gemfibrozil (Lopid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rosuvastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.