Brand name:
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
Pronounced: CRES-tor
Generic name: Rosuvastatin calcium
Why is CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) prescribed?
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) is used to lower cholesterol levels when diet and exercise
alone have failed to work. The drug can help lower the total cholesterol
count as well as harmful levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
It can also lower triglycerides, a type of fat that is carried through
the bloodstream and can end up being stored as body fat. Sometimes
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) may be combined with another type of cholesterol-lowering drug
such as Colestid, Questran, or WelChol.
In addition, CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) can help increase the amount of "good" cholesterol
known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
It's especially important to keep LDL cholesterol under control, since
high levels are associated with heart disease. Federal guidelines recommend
considering drug therapy when LDL levels reach 130 in people at high
risk for heart disease. For people with a lower risk, the cutoff is
160. For those with little or no risk, it's 190.
Most important fact about CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) - FDA APPROVED MEDS
ONLINE without a prescriptions
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) is prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss fail
to lower your cholesterol levels. It's important to remember that CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
is meant to supplement--not replace--these lifestyle changes. To get
the full benefit of CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ), you need to stick to the diet and exercise
program prescribed by your doctor. All of these efforts to keep your
cholesterol levels normal are important because they may lower your
risk of heart disease.
How should you take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )?
Take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) once a day with or without food. You can take the drug
at any time, but it's best to make a habit of taking it at the same
time every day to prevent missed doses. Swallow each tablet whole with
a glass of water.
If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium
hydroxide, such as Maalox or Mylanta, be sure to take it at least 2
hours after you take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ).
If you miss a dose...
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back
to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature and protect from moisture.
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe to continue using CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ).
It's especially important to tell your doctor if you have unusual
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness that's accompanied by fever or
a general feeling of illness and fatigue (see "Special warnings
about CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )").
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, indigestion, nausea, sore
throat
Why should CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) not be prescribed?
Do not take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) if you have liver disease, or if you've ever had
an allergic reaction to the drug.
Also, never take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Special warnings about CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
Use CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) with caution if you have a history of liver problems,
if you have any symptoms associated with liver disease, or if you drink
large amounts of alcohol. In rare cases, cholesterol-lowering drugs
like CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) have caused liver damage. To guard against such problems,
your doctor will perform blood tests before you start taking the drug
and again after 12 weeks. As therapy continues, you may have your blood
tested periodically or whenever the doctor increases your dose.
There is a small chance that CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) may cause damage to muscle tissue.
Be especially cautious if you have any predisposing risk factors for
muscle damage, including kidney problems or an underactive thyroid,
or if you're past middle age. Promptly report to your doctor any unexplained
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a
fever or you just generally do not feel well.
Use CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) with caution if you have kidney problems. Studies have
shown that the drug may affect kidney function, especially at higher
doses. If your doctor finds evidence of this after routine testing,
you may need to have your dosage lowered.
Be sure to tell the doctor if your ancestry is Japanese or Chinese,
since these groups have been known to metabolize CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) differently
than others.
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) may be associated with abnormal lab test results, including
tests for liver and thyroid function and blood sugar levels. If you're
having any lab work done, be sure to let the doctor know you're taking
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ).
The safety and effectiveness of CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) have not been established
in children.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
If you take CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) with any of the
following:
Antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta
Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as clofibrate (Atromid-S) or fenofibrate
(Tricor)
Cimetidine (Tagamet) Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Niacin (Niaspan, Niacor, Slo-Niacin)
Oral contraceptives
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) should never be used during pregnancy because a developing
baby needs plenty of cholesterol. Your doctor will prescribe CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
only if you are highly unlikely to become pregnant while taking CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ).
If you do become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
Likewise, CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin ) should never be used while you're breastfeeding.
Recommended dosage for CRESTOR ( Rosuvastatin )
ADULTS
Overdosage
