What is rosuvastatin?
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. 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rosuvastatin?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, if you have liver disease, or if
you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
underactive thyroid;
-
a muscle disorder;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium
levels in your blood);
-
a severe infection or illness; or
-
if you have had a very recent surgery or medical
emergency.
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.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not use
rosuvastatin if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant
during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
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?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Rosuvastatin is usually taken once a day. You may take the medicine with or without food.
Take rosuvastatin at the same time each day.
It is important to use rosuvastatin regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled
before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
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.
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.
Do not stop using rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may take several
weeks of taking the medication before your condition improves.
Store rosuvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of rosuvastatin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about rosuvastatin?
Your pharmacist has information about rosuvastatin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of rosuvastatin?
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:
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weakness, dizziness;
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mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
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sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
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memory loss;
-
headache; or
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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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about rosuvastatin?
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.
What should I avoid while taking rosuvastatin?
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Rosuvastatin will not be as effective in
lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase triglyceride
levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking rosuvastatin.
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. Antacids contain
different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb rosuvastatin.
What other drugs will affect rosuvastatin?
Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra);
-
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
-
spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as clofibrate
(Atromid-S), fenofibrate (Tricor), or gemfibrozil (Lopid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
rosuvastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of rosuvastatin?