Generic name:rosuvastatin [ roe-SOO-va-sta-tin ]
Drug class:Statins
What is Crestor?
Crestor belongs to a a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Rosuvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
Crestor is used in adults and children who are at least 8 years old to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Crestor is used in adults to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque in blood vessels that can block blood flow).
Crestor is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and certain other heart complications in men 50 years and older and women 60 years and older who have coronary heart disease or other risk factors.
Crestor is also used to treat hereditary forms of high cholesterol, including the heterozygous type (inherited from one parent) and the homozygous type (inherited from both parents). For the heterozygous type, Crestor can be used in children who are at least 8 years old. For the homozygous type, this medicine can be used in children as young as 7 years old.
Warnings
Crestor can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use rosuvastatin if you are pregnant.
Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or wea...
