rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin (Generic Crestor) is a drug that is used alongside a proper diet to help decrease 'bad' cholesterol and fats (like LDL and triglycerides) and increase 'good' cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Rosuvastatin is known as a 'statin.' It works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol that is made by your liver. Lowering 'bad' cholesterol and triglycerides and raising 'good' cholesterol lessens your risk of heart disease and helps prevent heart attacks and strokes.

In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a diet low in fat and cholesterol), other lifestyle changes that can help rosuvastatin work better include stopping smoking, exercising and losing weight if overweight. Talk with your licensed medical professional for more details.

Rosuvastatin Prescription

Rosuvastatin is the generic version of Crestor, and requires a prescription. You can buy generic rosuvastatin at Blink Health at a discounted price.

All generic medications sold through Blink Health are FDA-approved. All FDA-approved generics must have the same strength, dosage form, safety and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts.

How to use Rosuvastatin

Before you start taking rosuvastatin and every time you get a refill, be sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet. If you have any questions, talk to your clinician or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily, with or without food as directed by your licensed medical professional. If you are taking rosuvastatin in capsule form, always swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or crush the capsules. If it is difficult for you to swallow the capsules, follow the manufacturer's Instructions for Use leaflet. If needed, you can carefully open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on 1 teaspoonful of applesauce. Do not chew the mixture, and be sure to swallow all of it right away. Do not prepare a supply until just before you are ready to take it.

Your dosage is based on your medical condition, other medications you may be taking, your age, race and response to treatment. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about all the products you use (including herbal products and prescription and nonprescription drugs). If you are of Asian descent, your licensed medical professional may tell you to start with a lower dose of rosuvastatin, as you may be more sensitive to the drug's effects.

Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum can reduce the absorption of rosuvastatin. If you're taking this type of antacid, take it at least two hours after rosuvastatin.

To get the most benefit from rosuvastatin, take it regularly, at the same time each day. Even if you feel well, it is important to continue taking this medication, as most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It can take up to four weeks before your body gets the drug's full benefit.

It is also very important to continue to follow your licensed medical professional's advice about exercise and diet.

Rosuvastatin Side Effects

It's important to be aware of possible side effects before you start taking a medication. Here are the listed side effects for this drug:

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very small number of people taking rosuvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor.

Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

Tell your doctor right away if this unlikely but serious side effect occurs: foamy urine.

This drug may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms persist after your doctor stops this drug: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).

This medication may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor right away: yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Rosuvastatin Precautions

It's also important to be aware of precautions and warnings around taking this medication.

Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with rosuvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Rosuvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

This medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Rosuvastatin Pill Storage

Store rosuvastatin at room temperature, and away from moisture and light. Do not store this medication in the bathroom. As with all medications, keep rosuvastatin away from children and pets.

Always properly discard rosuvastatin when you no longer need it or when it has expired. Your pharmacist or local waste disposal company can tell you how to do so. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.

Rosuvastatin Drug Interactions

Drug interactions can alter how your medications work or even increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Be sure to keep a list of all the products you use (including herbal products and prescription/nonprescription drugs) and share it with your clinician and pharmacist. Do not start, change or stop your dosage of rosuvastatin or any medicines without your licensed medical professional's approval.

Some products that may interact with rosuvastatin include: 'blood thinners' (such as warfarin), gemfibrozil and daptomycin.

Other certain medications may impact the removal of rosuvastatin from your body, which can affect how rosuvastatin works. Examples of these medications include sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, fostamatinib and ledipasvir, among others.

As some red yeast rice products can also contain a statin called lovastatin, you should avoid red yeast rice products while taking rosuvastatin. Taking rosuvastatin and red yeast rice products at the same time may increase your risk of serious liver and muscle.

Rosuvastatin Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Missed Doses:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is near the time of the next dose (within 12 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share rosuvastatin or any medication with others.

While taking this drug, be sure to get medical and/or lab tests done, including blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels. Also be sure to keep all medical and lab appointments.

May include selected content from the Licensed Solutions data, included with permission and copyrighted by FDB, inc., 2014. This copyrighted material has been downloaded and Licensed data is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings. This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.