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What is Crestor?
Crestor is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. Crestor works by reducing levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Crestor is used to treat high cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Crestor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before taking Crestor
Do not take Crestor if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, if you have liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Crestor. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;
a muscle disorder;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
a severe infection or illness; or
if you have had a very recent surgery or medical emergency.
People of Asian descent may absorb Crestor at a higher rate than other people. Make sure your doctor knows if you are Asian. You may need a lower than normal starting dose.
FDA pregnancy category X. Crestor can cause birth defects. Do not use Crestor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Rosuvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Crestor.
How should I take Crestor?
Take Crestor exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Crestor is usually taken once a day. You may take the medicine with or without food. Take thuis medicine at the same time each day.
It is important to use Crestor regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure, and may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people of Asian descent who take Crestor. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
Crestor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Do not stop using Crestor without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks of taking the medication before your condition improves. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Crestor side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Crestor: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking Crestor and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
chest pain; or
swelling in your hands or feet.
Less serious Crestor side effects may include:
weakness, dizziness;
mild nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
memory loss;
headache; or
pain or burning when you urinate.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Crestor?
Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra);
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as clofibrate (Atromid-S), fenofibrate (Tricor), or gemfibrozil (Lopid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Crestor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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