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Overview: Rosuvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol levels and to lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. It works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood. Common side effects include headache, nausea, muscle aches, or constipation. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, muscle cramps, or dark-colored pee, as these may be signs of a serious side effect. Rosuvastatin is a tablet that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is rosuvastatin used for?

Rosuvastatin is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It also increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Improving your cholesterol levels helps decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Rosuvastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does rosuvastatin work (mechanism of action)?

Rosuvastatin lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood.

How is rosuvastatin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Crestor

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg oral tablets
  • 20 mg oral tablets
  • 40 mg oral tablets

How should I store rosuvastatin?

Rosuvastatin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of rosuvastatin?

The most common rosuvastatin side effects are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Muscle aches and pain
  • Weakness
  • Constipation

There may be other side effects of rosuvastatin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of rosuvastatin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of rosuvastatin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Muscle Problems. Rosuvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking rosuvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.

  • Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
  • Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Fever
  • Muscle cramps
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity can happen when taking rosuvastatin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Increased Blood Sugar. Rosuvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Blood and Protein in Urine (Pee). Rosuvastatin may cause you to have protein and blood in your urine. If you have protein or blood in your urine, talk to your health care provider. 

Severe Allergic Reactions. Rosuvastatin can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking rosuvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use rosuvastatin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take rosuvastatin.

  • Crestor
  • Rosuvastatin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed 

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific rosuvastatin products they stock.

Liver Problems. Rosuvastatin should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about rosuvastatin before using it?

Do not take rosuvastatin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole.

Do not share rosuvastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep rosuvastatin out of the reach of children.

People aged 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of rosuvastatin, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood work, while you are taking this medicine. Follow any advice from your health care provider about diet and exercise.

What should I tell my health care provider before using rosuvastatin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if rosuvastatin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Thyroid problems

Asian Descent. Tell your health care provider if you are of Asian descent. You may have an increased risk of having serious muscle problems while taking rosuvastatin.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Rosuvastatin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Rosuvastatin may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away.

Breastfeeding. Do not take rosuvastatin while you are breastfeeding. Rosuvastatin can pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does rosuvastatin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between rosuvastatin and foods or drinks.

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking rosuvastatin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Tell your health care provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking rosuvastatin.

Does rosuvastatin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking rosuvastatin.

  • An antacid containing aluminum or magnesium, which is a medicine used for indigestion and heartburn
  • Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), which is a blood thinner
  • Niacin or a fibrate, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or gemfibrozil (Lopid), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
  • A medicine for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis C
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Colchicine, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Darolutamide, which is a medicine used to treat prostate cancer
  • Capmatinib, which is a medicine used to treat a type of lung cancer
  • Enasidenib, which is a medicine used to treat a type of blood cancer
  • Fostamatinib, which is a medicine used to treat low platelet counts
  • Regorafenib, which is a medicine used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum
  • Tafamidis, which is a medicine used to treat certain heart problems
  • Teriflunomide, which is a medicine used to treat multiple sclerosis
  • Febuxostat, which is a medicine used to treat high uric acid levels in people with gout

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of rosuvastatin. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with rosuvastatin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much rosuvastatin?

If you or someone else has taken too much rosuvastatin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of rosuvastatin?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual scheduled time. Do not take double or extra doses.