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Rosuvastatin
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Description
Rosuvastatin is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) levels. This medicine works by blocking the production of unhealthy fats in your body and prevents the risk of heart problems and stroke (a condition that causes reduced oxygen supply to the brain).
Rosuvastatin has some side effects like nausea, weakness, muscle pain, stomach pain, etc. These side effects are mild and may subside by themselves. Consult your doctor if these side effects last for a long time or worsen.
Rosuvastatin may be taken with or without food. Take the dose as directed by your doctor. Take it regularly at the same time for the ease of remembering. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose. Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly monitor your lipid profiles (fat levels in the blood) to make sure the medicine is working properly.
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Avoid taking this medicine if you have liver problems. Use this medicine with caution if you have diabetes, hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone in the body), or kidney problems. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine as they may interact with this medicine and cause undesired effects.
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age as the safety and efficacy data is not available. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Rosuvastatin
Muscle pain
Weakness
Headache
Joint pain
Constipation
Nausea
Stomach pain
Difficulty or painful urination
Dark coloured urine
Dizziness
Uses of Rosuvastatin
What is it prescribed for?
Hyperlipidaemia
Hyperlipidaemia refers to a high level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides (type of fats) in your blood. Rosuvastatin is used in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.
Prevention of heart Attack
A high level of fats circulating in your blood may deposit in your blood vessels and increase the risk of heart problems. Hence, Rosuvastatin is used to prevent the risk of a heart attack.
Prevention of stroke
Stoke is a condition that occurs due to insufficient blood supply to your brain. Deposition of unwanted fats may cause narrowing of the blood vessels carrying the blood to your brain. This may cause obstruction in blood flow and increase the risk of stroke. Hence, Rosuvastatin is used to reduce the incidence of stroke by reducing the cholesterol level in your blood.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time at which Rosuvastatin starts its action is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The time duration for which Rosuvastatin remains active in your body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Rosuvastatin as it may lead to liver damage and other undesired effects.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported for Rosuvastatin.Usage in pregnancy?
Rosuvastatin is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus.Usage while breast-feeding?
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it may pass into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Rosuvastatin if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Active liver disease
Rosuvastatin is broken down in your liver. Hence, this medicine is not recommended if you have pre-existing liver problems as it may lead to the accumulation of Rosuvastatin in your blood and increase the risk of side effects. It may also cause further liver damage.
Severe kidney impairment
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use if you have severely impaired kidneys as a damaged kidney will not filter the medicine completely out of your body, leading to toxicity.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Rosuvastatin is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus.
Breast-feeding
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it may pass into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Use in children
Rosuvastatin is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age as the safety and efficacy data is not available.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism refers to a low level of thyroid hormone in your blood. Hypothyroidism may be associated with rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue). Hence, Rosuvastatin should be used with caution if you have hypothyroidism as this medicine may further increase the risk of muscle damage.
Kidney problems
Rosuvastatin should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as it may worsen your health condition. A high dose of this medicine used for a prolonged time may increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly monitor your kidney function while you are taking this medicine.
Cognitive impairment
Rosuvastatin should be used with caution if you have cognitive impairment (a condition that causes a decline in mental abilities like memory and thinking skills). This medicine may cause memory loss, forgetfulness, confusion, etc. However, these side effects are not serious and resolve after discontinuation of this medicine.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Rosuvastatin. In case you missed a dose, take it immediately. However, if the delay is more than 12 hours, skip the dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Rosuvastatin. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Rosuvastatin as it may lead to liver damage and other undesired effects.
Interaction with Medicine
Leflunomide
Atazanavir
Cyclosporine
Gemfibrozil
Antacids containing calcium/magnesium/aluminum
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Diabetes
Rosuvastatin should be used with caution if you have diabetes as this medicine may alter the blood sugar levels. Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while taking this medicine.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition caused by the breakdown of muscle tissues. It may lead to complications such as kidney damage. Rosuvastatin should be used with caution if you have rhabdomyolysis as it may further worsen your condition. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual muscle pain, tenderness or weakness.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Rosuvastatin with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Take a low salt and low-fat diet and exercise regularly for better results.
Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms like unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Rosuvastatin reduces the production of cholesterol in your liver and helps to lower cholesterol levels in your blood. It further reduces the risk of complications related to high levels of cholesterol.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Statins, Antihyperlipidaemic agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Rosuvastatin 20 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].
Urmc.rochester.edu. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].
Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.