Crestor is considered a statin. It lowers lipids by reducing the formation and increasing the breakdown of certain lipid molecules. Crestor inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol.
What Is Crestor Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Crestor to treat several different conditions that are characterized by high fat and cholesterol levels. This may include high measures of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, considered “bad”), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB, a protein on the fat particles), and low measures of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, considered “good”) cholesterol.
Brand Name(s): Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: Antihyperlipidemic
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: N/A
Administration Route: Oral
Active Ingredient: Rosuvastatin calcium
Dosage Form: Tablet, capsule
Crestor treats hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat and cholesterol) that occurs due to certain diseases as well as due to primary hyperlipidemia (without another known cause). It is approved for use for children as young as 7 years old for some conditions. Often, dietary modifications are recommended along with Crestor to help balance fat and cholesterol levels.
Crestor is approved for:
Adults with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia in addition to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL, ApoB, non-HDL cholesterol, and TG levels, and to increase HDL. Children age 8 to 17 with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL, and ApoB if diet therapy is not effective. Children age 7 to 17 with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia to reduce LDL, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and ApoB as an add-on (adjunct) therapy to diet, either alone or with other lipid-lowering treatments. Adults with hypertriglyceridemia as an adjunct to diet Adults with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia as an adjunct to diet Adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia to reduce LDL, total cholesterol, and ApoB Slowing the progression of atherosclerosis as part of a treatment strategy to lower total cholesterol and LDL as an adjunct to diet Risk reduction of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, and arterial revascularization procedures in people without clinically evident coronary heart disease, but with multiple risk factors
Crestor is used long-term to gradually reach target lipid levels and reduce the risks associated with having high lipids and low HDL.
How to Take Crestor
Your healthcare provider would prescribe Crestor for once-a-day dosing to take any time of the day, with or without food. You should swallow the tablet whole.
Storage
Store Crestor in its original container and away from the reach of children or pets. Keep it in a dry place at a room temperature between 68 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not store it in the bathroom or other areas containing moisture.
Off-Label Uses
Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe medications for off-label use, meaning for conditions that it is not FDA approved for but has shown benefit in treating.
Crestor has a few off-label uses. Crestor has been prescribed off-label for children younger than age 7 diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia.
Other off label uses of Crestor include:
Treatment after a strokeBefore percutaneous coronary intervention for an acute cardiac (heart) event
Crestor has been shown to reduce brain or heart damage when used in these situations.
What Are the Side Effects of Crestor?
The common side effects of Crestor are bothersome, but not dangerous. This medication can also cause serious side effects.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Crestor are:
HeadachesMuscle aches and painsAbdominal painGeneralized weaknessNausea
Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these side effects. Another problem, not Crestor, could be causing these symptoms. Treatment for the underlying cause would then be required. If these symptoms result from taking Crestor, your provider may suggest or prescribe a treatment to help alleviate them.
Severe Side Effects
Crestor can cause serious side effects that can be harmful to your health.
Severe side effects of Crestor are:
Muscle problems: Myopathy (muscle disease) and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) can cause muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, and can be serious when accompanied by a fever. Liver damage: This can cause abnormalities in liver enzymes, feeling extremely tired or weak, upper-abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin or eyes).
Your healthcare provider may monitor you for changes in your liver enzymes while taking Crestor. Notify your provider if you experience signs of muscle or liver damage. Let your doctor know if your muscle pains continue after you are asked to stop Crestor. Further testing may be needed.
Long-Term Side Effects
Liver damage can be long-lasting, potentially causing health problems after you stop taking Crestor. Rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage, and it may take a long time for the muscles to recover.
Dosage: How Much Crestor Should I Take?
Modifications
This medication may be prescribed at lower than the standard dose for people who have severe kidney disease (not on hemodialysis) and for people of Asian descent due to increased plasma concentrations of the drug.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (capsules): For homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For hypertriglyceridemia or primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Type III hyperlipoproteinemia): Adults—At first, 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (tablets): For atherosclerosis: Adults—5 to 40 milligrams (mg) once a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Adults—5 to 40 milligrams (mg) once a day. Children 10 to 17 years of age—5 to 20 mg per day. Children 8 to 9 years of age—5 to 10 mg per day. Children younger than 8 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children 7 to 17 years of age—20 mg once a day. Children younger than 7 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss your scheduled dose, you should take your Crestor soon as possible. If it is close to the time for your next dose, you should take Crestor without doubling up on your dose, and then resume your regular schedule.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Crestor?
If you take too much Crestor, you would be at increased risk of developing the side effects of this medication. Tell your healthcare provider if you have taken too much. You might need medical observation and treatment to alleviate your symptoms.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Crestor?
You should not use Crestor if you:
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 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, major injury, or if you develop other serious health problems.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or a fever. These may be symptoms of serious muscle problems, such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Call your doctor right away if you have dark 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.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Do not stop or change your dose without checking first with your doctor, even if you are feeling well.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Have or have had an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin calcium or other ingredients in CrestorAre pregnant or breastfeedingHave liver problems
What Other Medications Interact With Crestor?
Crestor has many medication interactions. Your prescriber may need to make dosing adjustments or monitor for signs of interactions if you need to use medications that could potentially interact with each other.
It is not recommended to take Crestor with:
Certain antifungal medications, including traconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazoleColcrys (colchicine) to treat goutFibric acid derivatives, including fenofibrateHepatitis C drugs, including Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), Olysio (simeprevir), or Vosevi (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir)Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, including lopinavir, ritonavir, fosamprenavir, tipranavir, atazanavirLopid (gemfibrozil) for lowering high cholesterol and triglyceride levelsNiacinNubeqa (darolutamide) for prostate cancerStivarga (regorafenib) to treat colorectal cancer
Other interactions include:
Taking Crestor with cyclosporine, darolutamide, regorafenib, certain antiviral medicines, or other lipid-lowering medications can increase the risks of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Taking Crestor with cyclosporine, darolutamide, or regorafenib increases the level of Crestor in the body. Taking Crestor with blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin) increases the effect of warfarin and poses a bleeding risk.
What Medications Are Similar?
There are several medications used for lowering lipids, including statins.
Other statins besides Crestor include:
Lescol (fluvastatin) Lipitor (atorvastatin) Livalo (pitavastatin) Mevacor (lovastatin) Pravachol (pravastatin) Zocor (simvastatin)
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Crestor?
In general, this medication is used along with a cholesterol-lowering diet. Your healthcare provider may also recommend exercise to help reduce harmful cholesterol and increase HDL.
It is important that you maintain regular follow-up visits with your provider so you can have your lipid levels measured. Additionally, you should be familiar with the signs of heart attack and stroke (complications of hyperlipidemia) so you can get urgent medical attention if you need it.
