Health Library

Rosuvastatin (By mouth)

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

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.

Brand Name(s):

Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• 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.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Some medicines can affect how rosuvastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Capmatinib, cimetidine, colchicine, cyclosporine, darolutamide, enasidenib, febuxostat, fenofibrate, fostamatinib, gemfibrozil, niacin, regorafenib, spironolactone, tafamidis, teriflunomide
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C (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.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.
• 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 medicines
  • Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle weakness) that could lead to kidney damage
  • Liver 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.

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
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, painful urination
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

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

• Constipation
• Headache

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

Last Updated: 9/6/2024