Rosuvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats) in the blood, and to increase your good cholesterol (HDL). It is also used to treat adults who cannot control their cholesterol levels by diet and exercise alone. Rosuvastatin may help prevent or slow down medical problems, like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems.
Rosuvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, so this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, or do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, this medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses and take the medicine at the same time each day.
In addition to this medicine, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Carefully follow your doctor's orders about any special diet.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
To use the capsule:
- Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew it. If you have trouble swallowing, you may open it and mix the contents with 1 teaspoon of applesauce. Take this mixture right away. Do not save the mixture for later use. Throw away any unused mixture.
- You may also take the capsule using a nasogastric tube. To use:
- Open the capsule and empty the contents into a 60-milliliter (mL) catheter syringe. Add 40 mL of water. Do not use any other liquid.
- Replace the plunger and shake the syringe for 15 seconds. The granules may start dissolving.
- Attach the syringe to a nasogastric tube and deliver the contents into the stomach.
- Flush the tube with an additional 20 mL of water to get all of the medicine.
- Throw away any unused mixture.
If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium (eg, Maalox®), take the antacid at least 2 hours after using rosuvastatin.
Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while using rosuvastatin. This could cause side effects on the liver.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Difficulty in moving
joint pain or swelling
muscle pain, cramps, spasms, or stiffness
Less common
Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dry mouth
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
loss of consciousness
muscle tension or tightness
nausea
slow heartbeat
stomachache
sweating
troubled breathing
unexplained weight loss
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Rare
Dark urine
fever
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
bloating
bloody urine
chills
clay-colored stools
constipation
cough
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
hives, itching, skin rash
hoarseness
indigestion
irritation
joint swelling
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
muscular tenderness, wasting, or weakness
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on the skin
redness of the skin
stomach pain, continuing swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
tightness in the chest
trouble swallowing
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
upper right abdominal pain
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Body aches or pain
congestion
dry or sore throat
runny nose
tender, swollen glands in the neck
voice changes
Less common
Accidental injury
accumulation of pus, swollen, red, or tender area of infection near a tooth
arm, back, or jaw pain
belching
bladder pain
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
diarrhea
discouragement
dizziness
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
excessive muscle tone
fear
feeling faint
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of warmth or heat
feeling sad or empty
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
general feeling of discomfort or illness
heartburn
lack of appetite
lack or loss of strength
lightheadedness
loss of interest or pleasure
neck pain
nerve pain
nervousness
pain or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
passing gas
pounding in the ears
sensation of spinning
shivering
sneezing
stomach discomfort, tenderness, or upset
stuffy nose
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
Incidence not known
Confusion
forgetfulness
memory loss
nightmares
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
unsteadiness or awkwardness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have a major surgery, major injury, or if you develop other serious health problems.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, even after stopping the medicine. These could be symptoms of serious muscle problems such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Call your doctor right away if you have dark urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Do not stop or change your dose without checking first with your doctor, even if you are feeling well.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
