Rosuvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called statins.
It works by blocking enzymes in the liver that make cholesterol.
This lowers the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. It is also used to prevent heart disease. It also reduces the levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood). Decreasing cholesterol levels helps prevent blockages from forming in the arteries. These blockages can cause serious problems, including heart attack or stroke.
It is a prescription drug.
Dosage
Drug forms and strengths– oral tablet, strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg.
Typical dosage: 5–20 mg once daily.
Child dosage (ages 8–9 years)
Typical dosage: 5–10 mg once daily.
It should not be used in children younger than 8 years.
Warning:
Take this drug with or without food.
Storage: Keep this drug at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
Side Effects: The more common side effects that can occur with use of the drug include: Headache, pain in the abdomen (stomach area), muscle pain, nausea, weakness.
Serious side effects include-Severe muscle problems with unexplained or unusual muscle pain, weakness, fever. Liver problems which include: unexplained or unusual weakness, decrease in appetite, pain in the abdomen (stomach area), dark-colored urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
Drug Interactions:
Drugs that interacts with rosuvastatin include Antacids that contain aluminium or magnesium can decrease the amount of rosuvastatin in the blood. This makes it less effective. These drugs should be taken at least two hours after taking rosuvastatin.
Warfarin is used to thin the blood can increase INR which is a measure of how quickly the blood clots.
Some other drugs used to treat high cholesterol can increase the levels of rosuvastatin in the blood like Niacin, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate.
Certain drugs used to treat HIV can increase levels of Rosuvastatin.- protease inhibitors like : Atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir.
Drugs used to treat hepatitis C can increase levels of rosuvastatin-simeprevir.
Cyclosporine used to decrease strength of the immune system can increase levels of rosuvastatin.
Colchicine used to treat gout flares also can increase side effects such as muscle pain and rhabdomyolysis.
Other Precautions:
Rosuvastatin can cause severe allergic reactions including: rash, hives, swelling of face, mouth, and tongue, trouble breathing.
The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase the risk of liver problems from rosuvastatin.
For pregnant/ breastfeeding women: This drug should never be used during pregnancy. It can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
It should not be used in people younger than 18 years. It can be used in children ages 8–17 years to treat heterozygous high cholesterol, in children ages 7–17 years to treat homozygous high cholesterol. The drug is used based on the age, the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, other medical conditions, and how one react to the first dose.
