Rosuvastatin (By mouth)

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), atazanavir/ritonavir (Norvir®, Reyataz®), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra®), niacin (Vitamin B3), spironolactone (Aldactone®), a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin®), an antibiotic (such as erythromycin, Ery-Tab®), medicine to treat fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), or other medicine for lowering cholesterol (such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, Lopid®, or Tricor®).
• If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium (such as Maalox®), take the antacid at least 2 hours after you take rosuvastatin.
• Tell your doctor if you usually drink more than 2 glasses alcohol per day.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• 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 your doctor knows if you have kidney disease or an underactive thyroid. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, if you have muscle pain or weakness, or if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.
• This medicine may work differently in people who are Asian or have Asian ancestry.
• Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.
• Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored 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.
• Call your doctor right away if you get a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of liver damage.
• 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 or major injury.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Rosuvastatin (roe-soo-va-STAT-in)

Lowers high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats) in your blood. Helps keep atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) from getting worse. Lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack in people who have certain risk factors. This medicine is an HMG-CoA inhibitor, also called a statin.

Brand Name(s)

Crestor

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.However, do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Cloudy urine
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach
• Painful urination
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache