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What is Crestor: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 12, 2021  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Crestor overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle

Generic Names:

  • Rosuvastatin Calcium

Uses:

  • Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride (fat) levels. Also increases good cholesterol (HDL). May reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and related health conditions. This medicine is a statin.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antihyperlipidemic

Forms:

  • Capsule, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Crestor used for?

Crestor is a medication used to treat high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). Crestor belongs to a group of medications commonly referred to as statins. Crestor is the brand name for rosuvastatin. Crestor was approved by the US FDA in 2003. In the treatment of high cholesterol, Crestor use is very common.

What form(s) does Crestor come in

  • Capsule

  • Tablet

What are common Crestor doses?

  • Tablet 5MG

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Tablet 20MG

  • Tablet 40MG

Common Crestor prescriptions

  • Crestor
    15 tablets bottle

  • Crestor
    30 tablets bottle

  • Crestor
    45 tablets bottle

  • Crestor
    6030 tablets bottle

  • Crestor
    90 tablets bottle

  • Crestor
    10mg tablet

  • Crestor
    20mg tablet

  • Crestor
    40mg tablet

  • Crestor
    5mg tablet

How to take Crestor

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet to lower your cholesterol.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • 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 soft food (including applesauce, or chocolate or vanilla pudding). Take this mixture within 1 hour, without chewing. 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.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take 2 doses within 12 hours of each other.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet to lower your cholesterol.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • 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 soft food (including applesauce, or chocolate or vanilla pudding). Take this mixture within 1 hour, without chewing. 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.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take 2 doses within 12 hours of each other.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Crestor contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin, if you have an active liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Crestor warnings

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine.

  • Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, low blood pressure, sepsis, electrolyte imbalance, seizures, muscle pain or weakness, or a history of liver disease. Tell your doctor if you usually have more than 2 drinks of alcohol per day.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Severe muscle problems (including myopathy, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy), especially when used with other medicinesRhabdomyolysis (severe muscle weakness) that could lead to kidney damageLiver problems

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Crestor interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how rosuvastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Cimetidine, colchicine, cyclosporine, darolutamide, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin, regorafenib, spironolactoneBlood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including atazanavir/ritonavir, dasabuvir/ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, elbasvir/grazoprevir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, lopinavir/ritonavir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, all ledipasvir combinations including ledipasvir/sofosbuvir)Medicine to treat an infection (including erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)

  • If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium, take it at least 2 hours after using rosuvastatin.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Crestor side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, painful urination

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache

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