Crestor
Generic Name: rosuvastatin (roe SOO va sta tin)
Brand Names: Crestor
What is rosuvastatin?
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. 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 purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about rosuvastatin?
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. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained
muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to rosuvastatin or if you have liver
disease.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase
triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking rosuvastatin.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
rosuvastatin?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, or if you have liver
disease.
Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
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.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
rosuvastatin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
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. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained
muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not
use rovustatin 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.
It is not known whether rosuvastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take 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 rovustatin 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 visits to your doctor.
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.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
The symptoms of a rosuvastatin overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking rosuvastatin?
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.
Rosuvastatin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
chest pain; or
-
swelling in your hands or feet;
Continue taking rosuvastatin and talk to your doctor if you have any of
these less serious side effects:
-
weakness;
-
nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea;
-
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
-
headache; or
-
pain or burning when you urinate.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect rosuvastatin?
Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
-
spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as clofibrate
(Atromid-S), fenofibrate (Tricor), or gemfibrozil (Lopid).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
rosuvastatin or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has information about rosuvastatin written for health professionals that
you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Rosuvastatin is available with a prescription under the brand name Crestor. Other brand
or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about
this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Crestor 5 mg-yellow, round, film-coated tablets
-
Crestor 10 mg-pink, round, film-coated tablets
-
Crestor 20 mg-pink, round, film-coated tablets
-
Crestor 40 mg-pink, oval, film-coated tablets
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.03. Revision Date: 2/13/07 12:07:56 PM.
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