Rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin is used to lower high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. It can also reduce the risk of angina, heart attack and stroke.

Rosuvastatin usually comes as tablets or capsules that you take once a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Side effects of rosuvastatin include headaches, dizziness, muscle ache, diarrhoea and indigestion. More serious side effects are rare.

Rosuvastatin is suitable for most adults and children aged 6 and over, but always check before taking it because it's not suitable for everyone.

Taking rosuvastatin with other medicines, such as some antibiotics or anticoagulants, can cause problems. Always check before taking it.

Rosuvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol. Having high cholesterol can cause problems with your heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).

It's a type of cholesterol-lowering medicine called a statin.

Rosuvastatin can help:

• bring your cholesterol levels down if you have high cholesterol
• prevent angina, heart attack, stroke and other complications if you have cardiovascular disease

You may also be prescribed rosuvastatin if you have familial hypercholesterolaemia (a condition that can cause high cholesterol).

Rosuvastatin usually comes as tablets or capsules. Some tablets melt in your mouth (orodispersible).

How much you need to take depends on why you're taking it. Your doctor may prescribe a low dose to start with and then increase it, if needed, after 4 weeks.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

When taking rosuvastatin:

• swallow tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water, or if you have orodispersible tablets let them melt on your tongue before swallowing – you can swallow them with or without water
• take it once a day – try to take it at the same time each day
• you can take it with or without food

You usually need to take rosuvastatin for a long time, sometimes for life.

Keep taking this medicine, unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop taking rosuvastatin, your cholesterol levels may go up again.

If you forget to take a dose of rosuvastatin, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much rosuvastatin

Taking an extra dose of rosuvastatin is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much as it can sometimes be dangerous.

• you've taken more than your prescribed dose of rosuvastatin

If you’re unable to speak to a pharmacist, or you took too much of your medicine on purpose, call NHS 111 for advice.

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the rosuvastatin packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Like all medicines, rosuvastatin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of rosuvastatin include:

• a headache
• dizziness
• feeling sick (nausea)
• digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting
• muscle aches
• sleep problems

Rosuvastatin will not usually affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery, but if you feel dizzy after taking it, wait until the dizziness stops.

• you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away

They may be able to give you advice about how you can reduce the side effects.

Rosuvastatin can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of rosuvastatin include:

• inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes – yellowed skin may be less noticeable if you have brown or black skin
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause severe stomach pain
• inflammation and damage to the muscles, which can cause muscle cramps, severe pain and weakness – you may also have other symptoms such as a high temperature and red or brown pee
• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing

• you're taking rosuvastatin and think you might be having serious side effects

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of rosuvastatin.

For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website

Most adults can take rosuvastatin.

It's sometimes also prescribed for children aged 6 years or older.

But rosuvastatin is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or other serious side effects from rosuvastatin or another statin
• you have liver or kidney problems, or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• you or a close family member have a condition that affects the muscles, such as myasthenia gravis
• you regularly drink a lot of alcohol

Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and rosuvastatin

You can usually take rosuvastatin while breastfeeding, but check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects from medicine you're taking, but speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and rosuvastatin

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Rosuvastatin is not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect how your baby develops.

If you're planning to get pregnant, stop taking rosuvastatin 3 months before you start trying to conceive.

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with rosuvastatin.

This includes:

• other medicines for lowering cholesterol, such as fibrates
• antibiotics such as fusidic acid or erythromycin
• medicines for viral infections including HIV and hepatitis C
• medicines to prevent blood clots such as warfarin or clopidogrel
• contraceptive pills such as the combined pill
• ciclosporin, a medicine given after an organ transplant

Before taking rosuvastatin, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with rosuvastatin

You can eat as normal while taking rosuvastatin.

It's best not to drink too much alcohol while taking rosuvastatin, as it can increase the risk of side effects like liver problems.