Rosuvastatin
NHS information about the medicine rosuvastatin, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.
What rosuvastatin is for
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).
How to take rosuvastatin
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.
Side effects of rosuvastatin
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.
Who can and cannot take rosuvastatin
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.
Taking rosuvastatin with other medicines, food and drink
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.
Find out more about your medicine
To find out more about your medicine, you can:
- check the leaflet that comes with it
- search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
- speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice – if you recently started taking it, you can get help with newly prescribed medicines from a pharmacist as part of the New Medicine Service
