Uses

Crestor (Rosuvastatin) is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. It works in the liver by stopping the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is then eventually converted to cholesterol. This causes the liver to absorb cholesterol that is in the blood stream, and lowers levels of LDL cholesterol along with triglycerides. It is used to treat conditions such high cholesterol, high triglycerides and for heart attack prevention.

How to Use

Take this medication by mouth with water, it can be taken with or without food.

Take exactly as directed, do not take more than directed.

Do not crush or chew this medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. Do not take 2 doses within 12 hours of each other. If your upcoming dose is scheduled within 12 hours, take only that upcoming dose. Do not double up on any dose.

Important Information

Be sure to have regular check ups with your doctor while on this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have liver functions tests.

Notify a healthcare professional immediately if you notice muscle pain, weakness or tenderness. This is especially important if you are also having fatigue and a fever. Your doctor may want to switch you to a different medicine if you are experiencing muscle pain.

This medicine can effect levels of sugar in the blood. If you are diabetic, notify your doctor before altering your diet or changing the dose of diabetic mediciations.

Avoid taking antacids that contain ingredients such as magnesium, calcium, or aluminum within 2 hours of taking this medication.

There are many lifestyle modifications that you can adopt in order to decrease you bad cholesterol and drastically increase your overall health such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly(see lifestyle tab),

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, serious side effects may occur for the child. Talk to your doctor regarding this issue.

Be sure that your prescribing doctor is aware if you have any of the the following conditions before taking this medication

Frequent alcohol consumption, kidney disease, liver disease, muscles aches, muscle weakness, all medical conditions, history of allergic reactions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant.

Side effects that should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider

Allergic reaction(hives, itching, swelling of the face or mouth), trouble breathing, darkened urine, fever, joint pain, muscle cramps, pain, changes in the passing of urine such as difficulty or less urine passed, excessive fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, any red, blistering or peeling skin.

Other Side Effects

Constipation, heartburn, nausea, stomach gas, stomach pain, stomach upset.

Adult Dose

Atherosclerosis, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Hyperlipoproteinemia

10 mg by mouth once daily is the usual starting dose. A lower dose of 5 mg by mouth once daily may be initiated. The maintenance dose is between 5-40mg daily.

Sources

1. White CM. A review of the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic aspects of rosuvastatin. J Clin Pharmacol 2002;42:963-970.