Crestor is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. Using this medicine may help prevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels.
Crestor belongs to the group of medicines called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Special precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rosuvastatin, the following should be considered:
Allergies— tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to rosuvastatin. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy— Crestor should not be used during pregnancy or by women who plan to become pregnant. This medicine blocks formation of cholesterol, which is necessary for the fetus to develop properly. Crestor may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy. An effective form of birth control should be used during treatment with these medicines. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you have become pregnant while taking this medicine . Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Breast-feeding— It is not known if rosuvastatin passes into breast milk. However, it should not be used during breast-feeding because it may cause serious unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children— Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and a small number of pediatric patients 8 years of age and older, and there is no specific information comparing use of rosuvastatin in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults— this medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medical problems— the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of rosuvastatin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
- Liver problems (or history of) or
- Liver enzymes, persistently high levels—Use of this medicine may make liver problems worse.
- Chinese or Japanese ancestry—May increase the amount of rosuvastatin in the body.
- Convulsions (seizures), not well-controlled, or
- Electrolyte or metabolic enzyme deficiencies or disorders or
- Infection, severe or
- Low blood pressure or
- Major surgery or trauma, recent—Patients with these conditions may be at risk of developing muscle problems (causing the release of muscle pigment into the urine) that may lead to kidney failure
- Kidney problems or
- Older adult or
- Underactive thyroid—May increase your chance of getting a serious side effect.
- Muscle problems—Use of this medicine may make muscle problems worse.
- Protein in the urine—Crestor may cause this problem. Your doctor may want to decrease the dose of rosuvastatin if you get this problem.
Side effects
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
- Rare
- Dark-colored urine; fever; muscular pain, tenderness, wasting or weakness; muscle cramps or spasms; muscle pain or stiffness; unusual tiredness or weakness
- Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach pain; area rash ; clay-colored stools; unpleasant breath odor; vomiting of blood; yellow eyes or skin
Side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
- More common
- Body aches or pain ; congestion; cough; dryness or soreness of throat ; headache; hoarseness; runny nose; tender, swollen glands in neck; trouble in swallowing; voice changes
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
