Rosuvastatin (By Mouth)

Rosuvastatin (roe-SOO-va-sta-tin)

Lowers high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. This medicine is an HMG-CoA inhibitor, sometimes called a "statin."

Brand Name(s):

Crestor
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin or to similar medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), lovastatin (Mevacor®), pravastatin (Pravachol®), or simvastatin (Zocor®). You should not use this medicine if you have active liver disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is only part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), spironolactone (Aldactone®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or other medicine for lowering cholesterol (such as gemfibrozil, Lopid®).
• If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium (such as Maalox®), take the antacid at least 2 hours after you take rosuvastatin.
• Tell your doctor if you usually drink large amounts of alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, low thyroid, or a history of liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are of Japanese or Chinese descent. You may need a slightly different dose of this medicine.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery or a major injury (trauma). You also may need to stop if you develop other serious health problems, such as seizures or problems with your blood.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps, especially with fever or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach
• Skin or eyes turn yellow

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Mild stomach upset, constipation

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.