Crestor

Generic name: rosuvastatin
Drug class: Statins

Dosage form: Tablet
Root of administration: Oral
Dose: 5, 10, 20, 40 mg

Mechanism of action: Crestor belongs to a a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or “statins.” Rosuvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
Drug usage cases: Crestor is used in adults and children who are at least 8 years old to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Crestor is used in adults to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque in blood vessels that can block blood flow). Crestor is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and certain other heart complications in men 50 years and older and women 60 years and older who have coronary heart disease or other risk factors

Drug contraindications: You should not take Crestor if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, or if you have:

• liver disease/high levels of liver enzymes in your blood
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Crestor: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back
• trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing
• confusion, memory problems
• liver problems – upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Warnings: Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

You should not take rosuvastatin if you have liver disease, or if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Crestor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Crestor can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use rosuvastatin if you are pregnant. Rosuvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine.