Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Crestor

Generic Name: rosuvastatin (Pronunciation: roe SOO va sta tin)

• What is rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• What are the possible side effects of rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• How should I take rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Crestor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Crestor)?
• What should I avoid while taking rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• What other drugs will affect rosuvastatin (Crestor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is rosuvastatin (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.

Crestor 10 mg

round, pink, imprinted with ZD45222 10

Crestor 20 mg

round, pink, imprinted with ZD4522 20

Crestor 40 mg

oval, pink, imprinted with 40, ZD4522

Crestor 5 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with ZD4522 5

What are the possible side effects of rosuvastatin (Crestor)?

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;
• 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.

What is the most important information I should know about rosuvastatin (Crestor)?

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.

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, if you have liver disease, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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.