Rosuvastatin

2 medicines

Rosuvastatin is a statin that lowers LDL cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It rarely causes rhabdomyolysis, serious muscle breakdown, which shows up as muscle pain or weakness with dark urine.

Crestor

Rosuvastatin

5/10/20mg

Crestor is a cholesterol medication containing Rosuvastatin, available as 5/10/20mg tablets.

from $1.24 / tablet View

Roszet

Rosuvastatin, Ezetimibe

10/10mg

Roszet is a cholesterol medication containing Rosuvastatin + Ezetimibe, available as 10/10mg tablets.

from $1.14 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Rosuvastatin, sold as Crestor among other brands, is a statin that lowers LDL cholesterol and modestly raises HDL, reducing cardiovascular risk with long-term use.
  • You take it once daily, with or without food. It is one of the more potent statins, so lower starting doses are often used, including in people of Asian ancestry or with reduced kidney function.
  • Rarely, it causes rhabdomyolysis, serious breakdown of muscle tissue. Muscle pain or weakness together with dark urine is the warning sign and needs same-day medical attention.
  • Liver-enzyme blood tests are checked before you start and periodically afterward, and rosuvastatin is avoided in pregnancy.

What rosuvastatin treats

Rosuvastatin treats high LDL cholesterol and mixed dyslipidaemia, and it lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular risk factors or existing disease. It also treats familial hypercholesterolaemia, including some inherited forms diagnosed in children and teenagers.

How rosuvastatin works

Rosuvastatin blocks HMG-CoA reductase, the liver enzyme that makes cholesterol. With production reduced, the liver removes more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream to compensate, gradually lowering the total cholesterol measured on a blood test.

Before you take it

  • Avoid rosuvastatin in pregnancy and breastfeeding, since cholesterol is needed for fetal development.
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of muscle disorders. Your dose may need to be lower.
  • Ciclosporin, certain antivirals, and other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as fibrates raise rosuvastatin levels and increase the risk of muscle toxicity. Tell your pharmacist about every medicine you take.
  • People of Asian ancestry can reach higher blood levels at standard doses, so prescribers often start with a lower dose.

Side effects

Common effects include headache, mild stomach upset, and muscle aches.

Seek urgent medical care for:

  • Muscle pain or weakness you can't explain, especially with dark, tea-coloured urine.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or unusual fatigue.
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat.

Safety essentials

  • Know the warning sign: muscle pain or weakness together with dark urine can mean rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious breakdown of muscle tissue that can harm the kidneys. Stop the medicine and get same-day medical care if this happens.
  • Liver-enzyme blood tests are done before you start and periodically during treatment.
  • Rosuvastatin is not used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, since the drug can harm fetal development.
  • Tell every prescriber and pharmacist that you take rosuvastatin, especially before starting ciclosporin, antivirals, or other cholesterol medicines that can raise its level.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.