Crestor (Rosuvastatin)

(℞) Prescription Required

    Crestor (Rosuvastatin) Dosage and Side Effects

    CRESTOR is used to lower cholesterol or other fats in the blood (such as triglycerides) and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

    Proper Use of this medication

    Your doctor prescribed this medicine only for you. Do not give your medicine to anyone else because it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

    Always follow your doctor's instructions carefully and keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.

    • Swallow each tablet whole with a drink of water. Take CRESTOR as a single dose.

    • Remember to take CRESTOR at the same time every day. It does not matter if you take CRESTOR with or without food, or in the morning or evening.

    • Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without first talking to your doctor.

    • If you get sick, have an operation, or need medical treatment while you are taking CRESTOR, let the doctor or pharmacist know that you are taking CRESTOR.

    • If you have to see a different doctor, for any reason, be sure to tell him/her of any medicines you might be taking, including CRESTOR.

    To help you keep track of your doses, CRESTOR comes in a blister pack with days of the week printed on the back of the blister. Start with the tablet that matches the day of the week and continue taking them in order until they are all finished.

    There are 14 days of labeled tablets in each blister, with one extra to make 15. All 15 tablets, including the one labeled “Take this tablet last”, are exactly the same. Once you have finished the 14 labeled tablets, take the one marked “Take this tablet last” before starting your next blister pack.

    CRESTOR is also available in bottles.

    Remember to get a new prescription from your doctor or a refill from your pharmacy a few days before all your tablets are taken.

    Usual dose:

    Adults:

    Treatment with CRESTOR is usually started with one 10 mg tablet taken once daily. Some people may be asked to start treatment with one 5 mg tablet taken once a day while others may be asked to start with one 20 mg tablet taken once a day.

    After checking the amount of lipids in your blood, your doctor may decide to adjust your dose until you are taking the amount of CRESTOR that is right for you. The maximum daily dose is 40 mg.

    Children 10 to 17 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia:

    Treatment with CRESTOR is usually started at a dose of 5 mg once daily. After checking the amount of lipids in your blood, your doctor may decide to adjust your dose until you are taking the amount of CRESTOR that is right for you. The maximum daily dose is 10 mg.

    Overdose:

    There is no specific treatment in the event of an overdose.

    Missed dose:

    Do not take a double dose. If you miss taking a tablet, take it as soon as you can. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take the next dose.

    Side Effects

    Most people do not have side effects when taking CRESTOR. However, all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These effects are usually mild and disappear after a short time.

    Check with your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of the following persist or become troublesome:

    • Stomach pain

    • Headache

    • Constipation

    • Dizziness

    • Feeling sick

    Less commonly, some people may have other side effects such as a skin rash, itching and hives.

    CRESTOR can cause abnormal blood test results. Your doctor will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

    Possible side effects reported with some statins: breathing problems including persistent cough and/or shortness of breath or fever; confusion, poor memory, mood problems including depression; problems sleeping including insomnia and nightmares; erectile dysfunction; numbness, tingling, weakness or pain, usually in your hands or feet, but this may also occur in other areas of your body (peripheral neuropathy).

    Warnings and Precautions

    Pregnancy:

    CRESTOR should not be used by pregnant women. Cholesterol compounds are essential elements for the development of a fetus. Cholesterol-lowering drugs can harm the fetus. If you become pregnant, discontinue use immediately and tell your doctor.

    If you are of childbearing age, discuss with your doctor the potential risks and the importance of birth control methods.

    Before taking your CRESTOR tablets, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

    • Have thyroid problems.

    • Regularly drink three or more alcoholic drinks daily.

    • Have a family history of muscular disorders.

    • Had any past problems with your muscles (pain, tenderness), after using an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) such as atorvastatin (LIPITOR), fluvastatin (LESCOL), lovastatin (MEVACOR), pravastatin (PRAVACHOL), rosuvastatin (CRESTOR) or simvastatin (ZOCOR), or have developed an allergy or intolerance to them.

    • Have kidney or liver problems.

    • Have diabetes.

    • Have undergone surgery or other tissue injury.

    • Do excessive physical exercise.

    Slightly increased blood sugar can occur when you take CRESTOR. You are likely to be at risk of developing diabetes if you have high levels of sugar and fats in your blood, are overweight and have high blood pressure. Discuss with the doctor your risk of developing diabetes.

    Interactions with this medication

    Sometimes drugs can interact with other drugs, so tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including prescription, non-prescription and natural health products. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

    • Any other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), niacin or ezetimibe.

    • Warfarin, clopidogrel (or any other drug for thinning the blood).

    • Antiviral medications such as ritonavir combined with another protease inhibitor or simeprevir (used to fight infections, including the HIV infection or Hepatitis C infection).

    • Antacids (frequent use) and CRESTOR should be taken 2 hours apart.

    • Cyclosporine (used after organ transplant).

    • Fusidic acid (an antibiotic agent). Your doctor may temporarily stop your treatment of CRESTOR until the treatment with fusidic acid is complete.

    Other related products

     
     

    The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.