This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Crestor Consumer Information
CRESTOR
Generic Name: rosuvastatin (roe SUE va stah tin)
Brand Names: Crestor
What is the most important information I should know about rosuvastatin?
- Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of rosuvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
- Rosuvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that rosuvastatin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby when taken during pregnancy. Do not take rosuvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- Do not take rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Alcohol and rosuvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if rosuvastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
What is rosuvastatin?
- Rosuvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
- Rosuvastatin is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in the blood. Rosuvastatin also increases the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the arteries), which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
- Rosuvastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rosuvastatin?
- Do not take rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney problems;
- have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function);
- drink alcoholic beverages;
- have a chronic muscular disease;
- require major surgery; or
- have a blood disorder.
- You may not be able to take rosuvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Rosuvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that rosuvastatin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby when taken during pregnancy. Do not take rosuvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- It is not known whether rosuvastatin passes into breast milk and if it will be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take rosuvastatin?
- Take rosuvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Rosuvastatin can be taken with or without food.
- Rosuvastatin is usually taken once a day. Try to take each dose at the same time daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.
- It is important to take rosuvastatin regularly to get the most benefit. Do not stop taking rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects are seen from this medication.
- Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with rosuvastatin, at twelve weeks after start of treatment and after any increase in dose, and periodically (every 6 months) thereafter. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from rosuvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
- Store rosuvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- The symptoms of a rosuvastatin overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking rosuvastatin?
- Alcohol and rosuvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if rosuvastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
- Do not take rosuvastatin with antacids that contain aluminum and magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil and others. If an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium is needed, it should be taken at least 2 hours following a dose of rosuvastatin.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.