Rosuvastatin helps lower your cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood.
Excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in your body can clog up your blood vessels. This can lead to many health problems such as stroke and heart diseases, including heart attack.
Rosuvastatin is meant to be taken as part of a complete cholesterol management programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Take Rosuvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Rosuvastatin must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- active liver disease
- myopathy (skeletal muscle disorder)
- severe kidney disease
as Rosuvastatin may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Rosuvastatin, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking Rosuvastatin.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- hypothyroidism (low level of thyroid hormones)
- moderate kidney disease
- severe respiratory failure
- history of inherited muscular disorder or previous history of muscle problems when taking other cholesterol-lowering medicines
- history of liver disease
Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol, if you are a frequent drinker, or if you have problems related to alcohol withdrawal.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Rosuvastatin to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Individual genetic traits are unique from each other. Researchers say that certain genetic traits can affect your response to Rosuvastatin. Though not routinely done, in some exceptional cases, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this drug is best suited for you.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Your doctor may need to perform blood tests (e.g. cholesterol, liver function) before you take Rosuvastatin and thereafter depending on your doctor's advice.
Rosuvastatin may cause any of the following side effects: abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, headache, dizziness, sleep disorder, muscle pain, itch, rash, swelling of the face, eye and mouth; and weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- persistent muscle or joint pain, muscle cramps, weakness or numbness
- yellowing of the skin or the eyes
- brown or dark-coloured urine
- swelling in the legs and ankles
- blood in urine
- difficulty breathing, cough, weight loss
- excessive thirst, sudden vision changes, extreme hunger
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
- other cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. gemfibrozil, ezetimibe, nicotinic acid, fenofibrate
- certain medicines for HIV infection e.g. combination of ritonavir with atazanavir or lopinavir
- simeprevir (medicine for Hepatitis C infection)
- birth control pills
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicine for gout (high uric acid level in the blood) e.g. colchicine
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
- itraconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Rosuvastatin.
Rosuvastatin should not be taken with antacids containing aluminum and magnesium, as these antacids could reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. If you must take antacids, take between meals at least 2 hours after you have taken this medicine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
