Crestor online

Item name:

Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) (AstraZeneca)

Generic name:

rosuvastatin

Brand names:

Crestor

Item info:

Rosuvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. Rosuvastatin is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in the blood. Rosuvastatin also increases the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the arteries), which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Drug class:

Rosuvastatin is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor

Interactions:

Do not take rosuvastatin with antacids that contain aluminum and magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil and others. If an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium is needed, it should be taken at least 2 hours following a dose of rosuvastatin.

Before taking Crestor, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

•  cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
•  clofibrate (Atromid-S);
•  fenofibrate (Tricor);
•  gemfibrozil (Lopid);
•  niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others); or
•  warfarin (Coumadin).

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with rosuvastatin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Side effects:

Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of rosuvastatin and other similar medicines.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.

If you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) stop taking rosuvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take rosuvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

•  headache;
•  diarrhea or constipation; or
•  nausea or upset stomach.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Prescription needed / OTC:

Rx only

Dosage:

Take rosuvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Rosuvastatin can be taken with or without food.

Rosuvastatin is usually taken once a day. Try to take each dose at the same time daily. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take rosuvastatin regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects are seen from this medication.

Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with rosuvastatin, at twelve weeks after start of treatment and after any increase in dose, and periodically (every 6 months) thereafter. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from rosuvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.

Contraindications:

Do not take rosuvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.

Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you

•  have kidney problems;
•  have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function);
•  drink alcoholic beverages;
•  have a chronic muscular disease;
•  require major surgery; or
•  have a blood disorder.

You may not be able to take rosuvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Rosuvastatin and other similar medicines can cause muscle injury, which in rare, severe cases, can cause kidney damage and organ failure that are potentially life-threatening.

Rosuvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that rosuvastatin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby when taken during pregnancy. Do not take rosuvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether rosuvastatin passes into breast milk and if it will be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Storage:

Store Crestor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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• Crestor
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