What is Rosuvastatin?
Rosuvastatin is a type of drug known as a statin, usually taken as tablets by mouth. Crestor is the brand name for Rosuvastatin, but it may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.
What are the Uses of Rosuvastatin?
- Rosuvastatin is used in combination with a healthy diet to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and fats, such as triglycerides, in the blood.
- It increases good cholesterol (HDL) levels while reducing cholesterol production in the liver.
- Lowering LDL and triglycerides and increasing HDL reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks.
- Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet can enhance the effectiveness of Rosuvastatin.
- Regular exercise, weight loss if overweight, and quitting smoking are additional lifestyle changes that can support the medication’s benefits.
How to use Rosuvastatin Tablet?
- Before you begin taking Rosuvastatin 10 mg, and each time you get a refill, read the Patient Information Leaflet if it is available from your pharmacist.
- Swallow the capsules whole; do not crush, break, or chew them.
- If swallowing is difficult, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on 1 teaspoon of soft food. Swallow the mixture without chewing and use it within 60 minutes.
- The dosage depends on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, race, and other medications you are taking.
- Avoid taking aluminium or magnesium-containing antacids within 2 hours of taking Rosuvastatin, as they can reduce its absorption.
- Take Rosuvastatin at the same time each day for optimal effectiveness, even if you feel well.
- Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not experience symptoms.
What are the Side Effects of Rosuvastatin?
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Diabetes mellitus
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Weakness
- Lack of energy
- Dizziness
- Creatine phosphokinase increased
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Urinary tract infection
- Hypersensitivity
- Rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling
- Pancreatitis
What are the Precautions of Rosuvastatin?
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to rosuvastatin or if you have any other allergies. Some inactive ingredients in this product might cause allergic reactions or some other problems.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have: liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of alcohol abuse.
- Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol consumption on a regular basis may increase your risk of liver problems, especially when combined with rosuvastatin.
- The drug’s side effects, particularly muscle problems, may be more severe in older adults.
- This medication should not be taken during pregnancy. Rosuvastatin may be harmful to an unborn child. Consult your doctor right away if you are pregnant and you are taking Rosuvastatin.
- This medication is excreted in breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug due to the potential risk to the infant. Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.
What are the Interactions of Rosuvastatin?
Drug interactions can change the way your medications work or put you at risk for serious side effects. Keep a record of everything you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications without first consulting your doctor. Blood thinners (such as warfarin), daptomycin, and gemfibrozil are examples of products that may interact with this medication. Other medications can interfere with the removal of rosuvastatin from your body, which can affect how it really works.
Overdose – What to do in an emergency?
If someone has taken an overdose of this medicine and has serious symptoms such as passing out of urine or trouble breathing, seek medical advice. Never take more than what is prescribed to you by your doctor.
What should I do If I Miss the Dose?
If you forget to take any dose or by mistake miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is already the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next medicine at the regular time schedule. Do not double the dose.
How to Store Rosuvastatin Medicine?
The medicine should not come in direct contact with heat, air, light and may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine might cause some harmful effects or serious side effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Rosuvastatin vs Atorvastatin
| Rosuvastatin | Atorvastatin |
|---|---|
| Rosuvastatin, also known as Crestor, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease and treat abnormal lipids in people who are at high risk. | Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). |
| It is used in conjunction with dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss. | It is used to prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk individuals and to treat abnormal lipid levels |
| It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. Lowering bad cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing good cholesterol | It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body in order to reduce the amount of cholesterol that can build up on the artery walls and block blood flow to brain, heart, and other parts of the body. |
