Rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called statins. It works in two ways. Rosuvastatin works by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which leads to the liver making less cholesterol. It also works by increasing the liver's uptake of cholesterol from your blood and its breakdown.

Introduction #

Generic name: Rosuvastatin

Brand names: Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle

Dosage form: oral capsule, oral tablet

Drug class: Statins

Uses #

Rosuvastatin tablets are used along with diet to:

• Lower the level of your bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, LDL)

• Increase the level of your good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, HDL)

• Lower the level of fat in your blood (triglycerides)

• Slow the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the walls of blood vessels

Rosuvastatin tablets are used:

• To treat adults who cannot control their cholesterol levels by diet and exercise alone.

• To treat children 8 to 17 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition that causes high levels of LDL). Rosuvastatin tablets are not approved for use in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia younger than 8 years of age.

• To treat children 7 to 17 years of age with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition that causes high levels of LDL). Rosuvastatin tablets are not approved for use in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia younger than 7 years of age.

• To reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in men 50 years of age and older and women 60 years of age and older who do not have known heart disease but do have certain additional risk factors.

Benefits #

In Treatment of High cholesterol

Rosuvas 10 Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It works by reducing the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raising the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. Lowering the amount of cholesterol reduces the chances of heart diseases and helps you remain healthier for longer.

Take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes (such as eating healthy and staying active) to maximize the effectiveness of this medicine. Keep taking it even if you feel well.

In Prevention of heart attack and stroke

High levels of cholesterol can cause your blood vessels to narrow (atherosclerosis) and put you at risk of having a stroke or heart disease. Lowering the amount of this fat reduces the chances of this happening and helps you remain healthier for longer. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well.

Directions for use #

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rosuvas 10 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How it works? #

Rosuvas 10 Tablet is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required by the body to make cholesterol, thereby lowering “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and raising “good” cholesterol (HDL).

Side effects #

Serious side effects of rosuvastatin include:

Muscle pain, tenderness and weakness (myopathy). Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown, can be serious in some people and rarely cause kidney damage that can lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if:

• You have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you have a fever or feel more tired than usual, while you take this medication.

• You have muscle problems that do not go away even after your doctor has told you to stop taking this medication. Your doctor may do further tests to diagnose the cause of your muscle problems.

Your chances of getting muscle problems are higher if you:

• Are taking certain other medicines while you take rosuvastatin

• Are 65 years of age or older

• Have thyroid problems (hypothyroidism) that are not controlled

• Have kidney problems

• Are taking higher doses of this medication

Liver problems. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking this medication and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you taking it. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

• Feel unusually tired or weak

• Loss of appetite

• Upper belly pain

• Dark urine

• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

The most common side effects of rosuvastain may include:

• Headache

• Muscle aches and pains

• Abdominal pain

• Weakness

• Nausea

What are the ingredients in rosuvastatin? #

Active ingredient

Rosuvastatin calcium

Inactive ingredients

Crestor tablets: microcrystalline cellulose NF, lactose monohydrate NF, tribasic calcium phosphate NF, crospovidone NF, magnesium stearate NF, hypromellose NF, triacetin NF, titanium dioxide USP, yellow ferric oxide, and red ferric oxide NF.

Generic versions of rosuvastain tablets may contain different inactive ingredients to those listed above. Check the product label for your particular formulation for a complete list of ingredients.

Ezallor Sprinkle capsules: microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, mannitol, magnesium oxide, ferric oxide, sodium citrate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 4000, and silicon dioxide.