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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rosuvastatin (Crestor)?

You should not take rosuvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

To make sure you can safely take rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• history of liver disease;
• history of kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

People of Asian descent may absorb rosuvastatin at a higher rate than other people. Make sure your doctor knows if you are Asian. You may need a lower than normal starting dose.

In rare cases, rosuvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
• HIV medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and others; or
• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take rosuvastatin if you are pregnant.Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking rosuvastatin.

Rosuvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking rosuvastatin.

How should I take rosuvastatin (Crestor)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Rosuvastatin is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may need to stop using rosuvastatin for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
• severely low blood pressure;
• a severe infection or illness;
• dehydration; or
• surgery or a medical emergency.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

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.

You may need to take rosuvastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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