Crestor (rosuvastatin)
CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) – is an antilipidemic drug commonly used to treat excess lipids (primarily cholesterol and triglycerides) in patients with these disorders. Rosuvastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (statin) indicated as an adjunct therapy to diet to reduce the risk of MI, stroke and arterial revascularization in patients without clinically evident CHD, but with multiple risk factors.
Other FDA approved uses:
1. As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, apo B, nonHDL-C, and TG levels and increase HDL-C in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.
2. As an adjunct to diet in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
3. As an adjunct to diet in patients with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Type III hyperlipoprotinemia).
4. Reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, and apo B levels in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH).
5. Slowing progression of atherosclerosis as a part of a treatment strategy to lower total-C and LDL-C as an adjunct to diet
6. Reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, and apo B levels in pediatric patients aged 10-17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH), after failing an adequate trial of diet therapy.
CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) has not been studied in Fredrickson Types I and V dyslipidemias.
Available dosage forms: Tablets – 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg.
Usual dosage: Crestor (rosuvastatin) is usually prescribed in a dose range of 5 to 40 mg daily. Use 40 mg dose only for patients not reaching LDL-C goal with 20 mg. Pediatric dosage may be lower (5 mg start, 20 mg maximum).
Contraindications: Crestor should not be prescribed to patients with active liver disease, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, those with hypersensitivity (allergy) to any component of this medication.
Adverse reactions (side effects) of these medications: The most common side effects of Crestor include headache, myalgia, asthenia, and nausea. Other adverse reactions reported in clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance include arthralgia, dizziness, increased CPK enzymes, increased ALT (a liver enzyme), fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure, jaundice, depression, sleep abnormalities and gynecomastia.
Special warnings and precautions: Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure, liver enzyme abnormalities, and acute necrotizing myopathies have been reported with statin therapy.
Common drug interactions: Rosuvastatin has been reported to interact with HIV protease inhibitors given in combination with ritonavir (particularly lopinavir/ritonavir and atazanavir/ritonavir). Other potential or reported interactions include cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, coumarin anticoagulants, and niacin.
Special instructions for patients: Take exactly as directed by physician. Reduction and control of lipid levels is dependent upon adherence to medication, along with regular exercise and dietary modification. Tell your health care professional if you: have a history of muscle pain or weakness; are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant; are breast-feeding; drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily; have liver, kidney, or thyroid problems; are Asian or of Asian descent.
Full prescribing information may be found at the manufacturer’s website Crestor.com or at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website at Crestor FDA Information
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