Crestor

Product Information
Crestor is the brand name for the generic drug Rosuvastatin calcium. Crestor is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor which blocks the production of cholesterol in the body; and helps in reducing the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a cholesterol facilitating protein) in the blood. Besides that Crestor also helps in increasing the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood.

This functional property of Crestor helps in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis i.e. the hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Approved by the FDA in 2003, Crestor is marketed by the British pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca Corporation.

Drug Class - Statins

Brand Name - Crestor

How to Use

• Crestor should be taken as prescribed and directed by the doctor.
• Each dose should be taken with a glass of water and it can be taken with or without food.
• Crestor is usually taken and should be taken regularly once the treatment is in progress.
• Do not stop taking the drug without consulting the doctor.
• Avoid fatty and high cholesterol foods to get the maximum benefit.

Side Effects
The Initial Adjustment: As your body adjusts to the medication, you may have

• Headache.
• Upset Stomach.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Nausea during the first few days.

Consult a Doctor
Consult your doctor if these effects persist or you experience serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Meanwhile, stop taking Crestor until you seek medical attention.

Notify your doctor if you experience unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flu-like symptoms, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unnecessary fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These can be symptoms of muscle or liver problems arising out of Crestor use.

Drug Interaction

• Use Crestor after judging all possibilities of drug interaction.
• Consult your doctor and inform about all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
• Never take Crestor along with antacids that contain aluminum and magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil and others. In case of emergency, such antacids should be taken at least 2 hours following a dose of Crestor.
• Avoid or limit the use of alcohol while taking Crestor.
• Inform your doctor if you are taking drugs such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), clofibrate (Atromid-S), gemfibrozil (Lopid), warfarin (Coumadin), fenofibrate (Tricor), niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex), etc.

Precautions

• Precautions should be taken to guard against obscure possibilities if you are suffering from liver disease.
• Limit the use of alcohol while using Crestor as alcohol may spur unwanted side effects.
• This drug is not recommended for use in children.
• Crestor has been included in the FDA pregnancy category X which means that the drug is known to cause birth defects in an unborn child. So it is recommended that you should not take Crestor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
• Crestor should also not be used by lactating mother as there are chances that the drug may pass on to the breast milk.

Dosage

• The normal starting dose of Crestor is 10mg per day and the maximum dose of is 40 mg per day; depending upon the necessity for lowering the cholesterol levels.
• Crestor is strictly advised to be used only under medical supervision so as to prevent probable drug interaction and possible side-effects.
• The dosage for the drug varies from person to person depending upon the body metabolism.

Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Crestor overdose are not clearly known.

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is too late or almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Never take a double dose of this medication.

Storage
Crestor should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep away from the reach of children.

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement and not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be interpreted to indicate that use of the drug is safe, apt, or effectual for you. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before using this drug.