Crestor (Rosuvastatin)

General information

Crestor is part of a class of drugs called statins. It works by blocking a particular enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. Crestor 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.

Directions

Take Crestor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Before starting rosuvastatin, you should be following a cholesterol-lowering diet. The recommended dose ranges between 5 mg and 40 mg once daily. For most people, the usual recommended starting dose is 10 mg once daily. It may be taken in the morning or in the evening, with or without food. If necessary, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg daily. For people with severely reduced liver function, the maximum daily dose is 20 mg. For people with severely reduced kidney function, the maximum daily dose is 10 mg. A starting dose of 5 mg daily is recommended for people of Asian descent (Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Asian-Indian origin) and those who have severe kidney problems.

Precautions

Before taking Crestor you should talk with your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), heart attack or stroke, any allergies, if you are of Asian descent, drinking alcohol frequently. Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. 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.

Contraindications

You should not take Crestor if you are allergic to rosuvastatin or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking cyclosporine, if you have active liver disease.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have vomiting, nausea, constipation, tenderness, weakness, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, urinating more or less than usual, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite, itching, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, skin rash, swelling of the face or throat, hives, difficulty breathing, memory loss. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: antacids, ketoconazole, birth control pills, statin medications (fluvastatin, pitavastatin, lovastatin), cimetidine, niacin, cyclosporine, warfarin, fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), protease inhibitors (atazanavir, ritonavir, indinavir), spironolactone. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

The overdose symptoms are unknown. If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.