Following consultation, a You Health provider determined that rosuvastatin is medically appropriate and necessary for your treatment.

Rosuvastatin

The following provides a medication overview of rosuvastatin, how the active ingredient works, and how to effectively and safely use it to support your cardiovascular health. You will also receive a physical document called a medication guide or patient drug information in the package with your medication when it arrives from the pharmacy, which contains full information about rosuvastatin. Please read all of the information, specific to the medication(s) you were prescribed, before taking your medication. If you’re not sure which medication you were prescribed, please reference the label on your prescription bottle or contact a member of your Care Team. 

In this medication overview you will find more information for the following:

  • Usage

    How to get the most out of your treatment

  • Side Effects

    What to look out for when using your treatment

  • Warnings

    Important safety information

Usage

To get started, review the directions on your prescription label and follow your provider's dosing instructions.

  • How does rosuvastatin work?

    Rosuvastatin works by blocking a specific enzyme that. By blocking this enzyme, rosuvastatin slows down the liver’s production of cholesterol. Additionally, the slow down in the production of cholesterol in the liver triggers an increase in the breakdown and removal of existing cholesterol from the bloodstream. The net effect of this is lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for revascularization procedures (procedures that restore blood flow).

  • How should I take/use rosuvastatin?

    Take rosuvastatin calcium tablets orally once daily at any time of the day, with or without food.

  • What if I miss a dose of rosuvastatin?

    If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses of rosuvastatin at the same time. 

  • What should I expect during treatment with rosuvastatin/How to get the most out of treatment?

    You might not feel any different right away when you start taking rosuvastatin—and that is normal. Rather, rosuvastatin works quietly in the background, helping to protect your cardiovascular health over time. Consistent adherence to the use of rosuvastatin, along with heart-healthy lifestyle changes, can help reduce cardiovascular risks to your health. Regular monitoring of your health, including cholesterol levels, helps make sure you are getting the most out of rosuvastatin therapy.

  • Can I drink alcohol while using rosuvastatin?

    While alcohol use does not have to be completely avoided, it is generally recommended to limit alcohol to moderate drinking while using rosuvastatin tablets.  Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for liver injury.

  • Can I use cannabis while taking this medication?

    You should discuss this with your primary healthcare provider before combining them. Cannabis, especially products containing cannabidiol (CBD), may increase the levels of rosuvastatin in your body.

  • What you need to know:

    Cannabis products—particularly those high in CBD—can affect how your body processes rosuvastatin by blocking certain enzymes in your liver.

  • Use of an antacid medication

    If you take a medication called an antacid that contains calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, or a combination of these, take rosuvastatin at least 2 hours before taking the antacid. Common examples include Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox, Amphogel, and Gaviscon.

Side Effects

  • Common side effects of rosuvastatin may include:

    • Headache 

    • Nausea 

    • Muscle aches and pains 

    • Weakness 

    • Constipation

  • Rare but serious side effects:

    • Muscle pain, tenderness and weakness (myopathy). Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown, can be serious in some people and, rarely, cause kidney damage that can lead to death. 

    Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have:

    • unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual while you are taking rosuvastatin

    • muscle problems that do not go away after your healthcare provider has told you to stop taking rosuvastatin. Your healthcare provider may do further tests to diagnose the cause of your muscle problems. 

  • Your chances of getting muscle problems are higher if you: 

    • are taking certain other medicines while you take rosuvastatin

    • drink large amounts of grapefruit juice

    • are 65 years of age or older

    • are of Asian descent

    • have thyroid problems (hypothyroidism) that are not controlled

    • have kidney problems

    • are taking higher doses of rosuvastatin 

    • Liver problems. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking rosuvastatin and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you take rosuvastatin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

      • feel unusually tired or weak

      • loss of appetite

      • upper belly pain

      • dark urine

      • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

    • Protein and blood in the urine. Rosuvastatin may cause you to have protein and blood in your urine. If you develop protein or blood in your urine, your healthcare provider may decrease your dose of rosuvastatin.

    • Increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels. Rosuvastatin may cause an increase in your blood sugar levels

    If you notice any of these side effects, stop taking the medication and seek urgent medical care. 

    These are not all the side effects of rosuvastatin.  For more information, read the drug information that comes with your compounded medication, ask your healthcare provider, or ask your pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If my cholesterol is normal now, do I still need to take my statin?

    Yes. Your cholesterol levels are likely well controlled due to your statin therapy. Managing cholesterol is typically a long-term strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. Statins work by continuously lowering “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and helping stabilize plaque in your arteries. Their protective benefit continues only while you are taking them. If you stop taking your statin, your cholesterol levels may rise again, often quickly within just 4 days, and protection against heart attacks and strokes disappears.

Warnings

  • Who should not take rosuvastatin?

    • have liver problems, such as alcohol related liver disease, cirrhosis or hepatitis

    • are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant

    • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

    • are allergic or have had an anaphylactic reaction to rosuvastatin or to any of the following inactive ingredients in rosuvastatin: crospovidone, hypromelose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Additionally, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg tablets contain FD&C red No. 40/alura red AC aluminum lake, FD&C blue No. 2/indigo carmine aluminum lake and FD&C yellow No.6/sunset yellow FCF aluminum lake

    • Stop using rosuvastatin and get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including:

      • swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat

      • problems breathing or swallowing

      • fainting or feeling dizzy

      • very rapid heartbeat

      • severe skin rash or itching

      • flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness, and joint pain

  • Before you take rosuvastatin, tell your healthcare provider about your other medical conditions, including if you:

    • have unexplained muscle aches or weakness

    • drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily

    • have or have had liver problems

    • have thyroid problems

    • have or have had kidney problems

    • are of Asian descent

    • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Rosuvastatin may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking Rosuvastatin and contact your care team right away

    • are breastfeeding

  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rosuvastatin and certain other medicines can increase the risk of muscle problems or other side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

    • coumarin anticoagulants (medicines to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin)

      • combination of 

        • elbasvir/grazoprevir

        • lopinavir/ritonovir

        • atazanivir/cobicistat

        • atazanivir/ritonavir

        • dasabuvir/ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonovir

        • darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide

        • sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

        • sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

        • glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and

      • all other combinations of ledipasvir, including ledipasvir/sofosbuvir

      • saquinavir plus ritonavir

      • darunavir plus ritonavir

      • fosamprenavir plus ritonavir

    • darolutamide (a medicine for the treatment of prostate cancer)

    • regorafenib (a medicine used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum)

    • encorafenib (a medicine used to treat melanoma, lung cancer, and colon cancer)

    • ticagrelor (helps reduce the chance of a blood clot formation that can block a blood vessel)

    • fibric acid derivatives (such as fenofibrate)

    • niacin or nicotinic acid

    • red yeast rice

    • colchicine (a medicine used to treat gout)

    • antacids (medicines you take for heartburn that contain calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide,  magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, or a combination of these)

    • cyclosporine (a medicine for your immune system)

    • erythromycin, clarithromycin, ceftobiprole, fusidic acid (antibiotic medicines used to treat certain infections)

    • sodium phenyl butyrate and taurursodiol (a medicine used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

    • eltrombopag (a medicine used to treat thrombocytopenia)

    • danicopan (a medicine used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria)

    • belumosudil (a medicine used to treat chronic graft-verses-host disease)

    • sparsentan (a medicine used to treat primary IgA nephropathy)

    • teriflunomide (a medicine used to treat relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis)

    • resmetirom (a medicine used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)

    • enasidenib (a medicine used to treat acute myeloid leukemia)

    • capmatinib (a medicine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer)

    • fostamatinib (a medicine used to treat low platelet counts)

    • leniolisib (a medicine used to treat APDS)

    • asciminib (a medicine used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia)

    • rilzabrutinib (a medicine used to treat immune thrombocytopenia)

    • vimseltinib (a medicine used to treat symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor)

    • vadadustat (a medicine used to treat anemia in individuals with chronic kidney disease)

    • febuxostat (a medicine used to treat and prevent high blood levels of uric acid)

    • gemfibrozil (a fibric acid medicine for lowering cholesterol)

    • tafamidis [used to treat cardiomyopathy (enlarged and thickened heart muscle)]

    • anti-viral medicines including certain HIV, hepatitis C virus, or cytomegalovirus (CMV)  drugs such as:

      • lopinavir, ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fostemsavir, tipranavir, atazanavir, simeprevir, letermovir

  • Certain medications can raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Because of this, it’s important to talk with your primary care provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

    • Glucocorticoids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone)

    • Retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin, bexarotene)

    • Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide)

    • Beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol)

    • Atypical antipsychotics (such as olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)

    • Progestogens (medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, levonorgestrel)

    • Oral estrogens (ethinyl estradiol, conjugated estrogens)

    • Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)

    Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines if you are not sure. Know all the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and add to the list when you get a new medicine.

    Statins may raise blood sugar levels in some people with prediabetes or diabetes. If you have prediabetes or diabetes, let your primary care provider know that you have started a statin so your blood sugar can be monitored more closely.

  • Medication disposal

    If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.

  • If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:

    Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;

    Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;

    Throw away the container in your trash at home; and

    Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.

  • KEEP ROSUVASTATIN TABLETS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

  • This is only a summary of the most important information about rosuvastatin.

  • Need more information? Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.