Crestor Oral

Uses Rosuvastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin." It is used along with a proper diet to help lower fats (triglycerides) and cholesterol in the blood. This drug is usually prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.

How to use Crestor Oral Take this medication by mouth usually once daily with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Many of the drugs (see Drug Interactions section) may increase the chance of muscle injury when used with this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more frequently than prescribed because this may increase your risk of serious side effects. Your doctor should prescribe the lowest effective dose of this medication for you to minimize this risk. Patients of Asian descent may require lower starting doses because they may be more sensitive to the drug. Antacids can decrease the absorption of this drug when taken at the same time. If you are taking an antacid, take it at least 2 hours after rosuvastatin. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take rosuvastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after these medications. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. It may take 2 to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.

Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other "statins"; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
The rare development of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney problems. This medication is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can increase your risk of developing kidney problems. Before stopping your medication, notify your doctor immediately if you have any of the following conditions: major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.g., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), very low blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures.
Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your chance for serious side effects.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially muscle injury.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Women of child-bearing age should use reliable form(s) of birth control (contraception) while taking this medication since it may cause harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.
It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk of undesirable effects on a nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood cholesterol levels, liver and kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. For best results, this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-fat/low-cholesterol diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. In addition, check your blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking to further help reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Store the U.S. product between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C). Store the Canadian product between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

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.
This drug may infrequently cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), change in the amount of urine.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, severe nausea, vomiting, fatigue.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, 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.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
See also How to Use section.
Use caution if the following drugs are combined with rosuvastatin because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) could infrequently occur: fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day), cyclosporine, daptomycin, fosamprenavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, ritonavir.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: antacids, birth control pills, warfarin.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.