CRESTOR

Generic Name: Rosuvastatin
Brand Names: Crestor

What is CRESTOR?

CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) is a synthetic drug that belongs to a class of medications termed statins.

Crestor slows the production of cholesterol by the body, it is used to lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood and is used to reduce the chances of developing problems like heart disease and strokes that can be caused, in part, by high cholesterol levels. It is often recommended to use Crestor in conjunction with a diet low in fats and cholesterol, and exercise (about 30 min. per day).

Crestor is available in tablets of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg strengths.

Important information about Crestor

Crestor should be taken with water once a day at the same time of day, with or without food. Dosage may be adjusted depending on what medicines the patient is already taking.

Crestor should not be taken during pregnancy or during breastfeeding because of potential birth defects.

Patients on Crestor should have liver function tests done routinely to determine if any damage is occurring.

Patients with liver damage should not take Crestor. Patients that drink large amounts of alcohol and patients with renal problems may be advised not to take Crestor.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Crestor?

To make sure you can safely take rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
History of liver disease
History of kidney disease
Diabetes
A thyroid disorder
If you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
HIV medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and others; or
medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

How should I take Crestor?

CRESTOR can be taken any time of day, with or without food
Swallow the tablets whole
Wait at least 2 hours after taking CRESTOR to take an antacid that contains a combination of aluminum and magnesium hydroxide

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of CRESTOR, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take 2 doses of CRESTOR within 12 hours of each other.

What happens if I overdose?

If you take too much CRESTOR or overdose, call your doctor or a Poison Control Center right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should I avoid while taking Crestor?

Avoid alcohol while taking Crestor (rosuvastatin). Do not breast-feed while taking Crestor. Do not take Crestor while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Crestor, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or supplements while taking Crestor, until you speak to your doctor. You should avoid antacids, high fat or high cholesterol foods, grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

Crestor side effects

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:

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
Nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, depressed mood;
mild muscle pain;
joint pain;
sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
constipation;
mild nausea; or
Stomach pain or indigestion.

What other drugs will affect Crestor?

Any other "statin" medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev), pravastatin (Pravachol), or simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin). This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with rosuvastatin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.