Rosuvastatin Calcium Drug Details
Therapeutic Class:
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or statin
Forms:
Tablet, capsule
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
- To lower low density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) and triglycerides and to raise high density lipoprotein (HDL or good cholesterol) in patients with cholesterol problems like primary hyperlipidemia, mixed dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia), and familial hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous and homozygous).
- To lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- To lower the need for heart surgery in people with heart disease.
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Drug Class
Rosuvastatin calcium (roe-soo-vah-stah-tin cal-shee-um) belongs to a group of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins.
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Age Range
Rosuvastatin calcium is approved for use in adults and children 7 years of age and older.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Uses
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Uses
Rosuvastatin calcium is a cholesterol-lowering medication. It is used to lower the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) and to increase the levels of HDL (good cholesterol). This medication works as an adjunct to diet and exercise. The buildup of cholesterol in the walls of arteries can block the flow of blood to vital organs such as the heart and brain. By keeping cholesterol levels in check, rosuvastatin helps to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. It also reduces the need for heart surgery to open clogged blood vessels in patients with heart disease.
There may be other uses of rosuvastatin. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Mechanism of Action
Rosuvastatin works by blocking the action of liver enzymes. Specifically it blocks an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which the liver needs to make cholesterol.
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Doses
Rosuvastatin calcium is available in tablet form in doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. The usual starting dose of rosuvastatin (Crestor) is 10 mg to 20 mg once a day. The dose range in adults is 5 mg to 40 mg per day. A dose of 40 mg per day is typically reserved for patients who do not reach target LDL levels with a 20-mg dose.
In children between 10 and 17 years of age who have an inherited condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dose of rosuvastatin is usually 5 mg to 20 mg per day. The 40-mg dose is not given to children. The safety and efficacy of this medicine has not been studied in children younger than 7 years old.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Directions
How To Use Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor)
Rosuvastatin comes in the form of an oral tablet (brand name Crestor) to be taken by mouth with water. You can take this medicine with or without food. Try to take your medicine at around the same time every day.
If you have trouble swallowing pills, the capsule form of rosuvastatin (brand name Ezallor) can be opened, and the contents can be mixed with applesauce to make the medicine easier to swallow. You should consume the mixture within an hour. Do not store the applesauce and medicine mixture for later use. You can also mix the contents of the capsule with water and give it through a feeding tube.
Read the prescription label and follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Take rosuvastatin calcium exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take a higher or lower dose or take the medicine more or less frequently than directed.
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of rosuvastatin and increase your dose every 2-4 weeks, depending on your response. Continue taking the medicine even if you don’t have symptoms. It is not possible to tell if your cholesterol levels are improving through symptoms. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to check your cholesterol levels. Do not stop taking rosuvastatin unless your doctor tells you to.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of rosuvastatin, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store rosuvastatin at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused rosuvastatin should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw rosuvastatin in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded rosuvastatin calcium is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on rosuvastatin calcium. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about rosuvastatin, read the patient information leaflet or talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice and further information.
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Rosuvastatin Calcium Side Effects
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Side Effects
Possible side effects of rosuvastatin are listed below. If these adverse effects are severe or still present after a few days, call your doctor for medical advice.
- Stomachache
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sleep difficulties
- Muscle pain or joint pain
- Depression
- Forgetfulness
- Confusion
Rosuvastatin calcium can also cause more serious adverse reactions. Stop taking rosuvastatin and call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Muscle problems such as unexplained muscle pain or weakness (these symptoms may continue even after you stop taking rosuvastatin)
- Fever
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Dark urine or decreased amount of urine
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Flu-like symptoms
- Right upper abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Allergic reactions with skin rash, hives, itching
- Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
The above list may not include all the possible side effects of rosuvastatin calcium. Tell your health care professional if the side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Rosuvastatin calcium Overdose: In case of an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor or the national poison control center on 1-800-222-1222. If a person has trouble breathing, cannot be awakened, or has had a seizure, call 911.
Source: FDA
Rosuvastatin Calcium Warnings
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Rosuvastatin can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for high cholesterol if you are at risk of complications from rosuvastatin use.
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Precautions Before Starting Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor)
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin calcium, other statins, or any other medicines. Your pharmacy can give you a list of active and inactive ingredients in rosuvastatin calcium formulations.
Some medications should not be taken together with rosuvastatin. Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medicines, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid dangerous interactions between medications.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Rosuvastatin may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, low blood pressure, muscle aches, or excessive alcohol use. It may also not be the best choice for people of Asian descent and those above 65 years of age.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breast feeding. Rosuvastatin calcium can be harmful to an unborn baby or breast-fed baby.
Precautions During Use of Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor)
Keep all your healthcare appointments during treatment with rosuvastatin. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to check liver function before starting you on rosuvastatin and during treatment. You might need to stop rosuvastatin if you are developing liver problems.
Continue taking rosuvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking the medicine unless your doctor tells says so.
Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on rosuvastatin. This medicine can be harmful to an unborn baby.
Tell all your healthcare providers you are on rosuvastatin before any minor or major surgery, including dental procedures, or if you have serious injuries or infections.
If you are taking aluminum and magnesium antacids like Maalox or Mylanta, take them at least 2 hours after your dose of rosuvastatin.
Avoid alcohol while on rosuvastatin. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of serious side effects.
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Drug Interactions
Certain medicines can affect how rosuvastatin works and make it less effective. Possible interactions between rosuvastatin and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects.
Some of the medicines that can have interactions with rosuvastatin include:
- Other medications used to treat high cholesterol such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor), and niacin (Niacor, Niaspan)
- Blood thinners or anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
- H2 blockers like cimetidine (Tagamet) that are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Anti-gout medications like colchicine (Colcrys)
- Immunomodulators like cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
- Anticancer medications like regorafenib (Stivarga), darolutamide (Nubeqa)
- Medications used to treat blood disorders such as eltrombopag (Promacta)
- Antifungal drugs like ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Certain medications used to treat hepatitis C virus
- Certain HIV medications
- Potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills) like spironolactone (Aldactone)
This is not a complete list of medications that can have interactions with rosuvastatin. Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare professionals if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Pros & Cons
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Pros and Cons
- Rosuvastatin can help control your cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Rosuvastatin is available in a low-cost generic version.
- Crestor brand can be given to children 7 years of age and older.
- People who have trouble swallowing pills can open Ezallor capsules and mix the contents with some soft food or water.
- Taking rosuvastatin can put you at risk of life-threatening muscle damage.
- This medicine is not suitable for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
- It may not be the best choice for elderly patients over 65 years of age.
- People with liver problems may have worsening liver damage on rosuvastatin.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Pharmacist Tips
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Tips from Pharmacists
You can take rosuvastatin with or without food. Try to take your medicine at around the same time every day. This makes it easier to remember.
Swallow rosuvastatin tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.
You can open the Ezallor capsules and mix the contents with some soft food or water. Consume the mixture within an hour. Do not store it for later use.
Avoid drinking alcohol while on rosuvastatin, as this can increase your risk of serious adverse effects.
Call your doctor immediately if you develop severe muscle pain, fever, extreme tiredness, or dark urine while on this medicine.
If you are taking aluminum and magnesium based antacids like Maalox or Mylanta, take them at least 2 hours after rosuvastatin.
Keep all your medical appointments during rosuvastatin treatment. Your healthcare provider may want to order certain laboratory tests, for example, liver function, or check cholesterol levels to assess your response to the medicine.
Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Rosuvastatin works in conjunction with diet and exercise to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol in the body.
Rosuvastatin Calcium Rx Savings Tips
Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) Rx Savings Tips
Rosuvastatin is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand names. Brand names Crestor and Ezallor and generic rosuvastatin contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx rosuvastatin coupon can result in big savings on the brand name and generic forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Rosuvastatin may be under $10.75 for 30 tablets of the 10 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on rosuvastatin, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx rosuvastatin discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
Lowest Price for Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor) | |
| Brand $101.88 | Generic $10.65 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Rosuvastatin Calcium Common Questions
Common Questions about Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor)
What is the best time to take rosuvastatin?You can take rosuvastatin at any time of the day, with or without food. However, it may be useful to take your statins in the evening because the enzymes that the body uses to make cholesterol are more active at night. In any case, take your medicine at around the same time every day. |
Can I stop rosuvastatin suddenly?Suddenly stopping rosuvastatin can be dangerous. It can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor. |
What foods should be avoided when taking rosuvastatin?You should avoid high-fat or high-cholesterol foods like fried foods, processed meat, red meat, baked goods, and full-fat dairy while on rosuvastatin. This medicine works in conjuction with a healthy diet and physical activity to lower cholesterol levels. |
How quickly can rosuvastatin lower cholesterol?Rosuvastatin starts to work within a week to lower cholesterol. However, it can take up to 4 weeks to get the full benefit of this medicine. |
Can I take rosuvastatin once a week?Rosuvastatin is typically prescribed to be taken once a day. However, some people who develop muscle pain on statins may tolerate once-weekly treatment. Ask your doctor whether weekly dosing might be right for you. |
Is rosuvastatin the strongest statin?Rosuvastatin is one of the stronger statins. Other statins that are also strong include simvastatin, pravastatin, and atorvastatin. Your doctor will decide on the best medicine for you. |
What is the price of rosuvastatin without insurance?Without insurance, rosuvastatin can be as high as $179.69, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $10.65 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of rosuvastatin with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on rosuvastatin—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for rosuvastatin. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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