Crestor

2007-12-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

¿What is Crestor?

Crestor is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. It works by reducing levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Crestor is used to treat high cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease. Crestor may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

¿What is the most important information I should know about Crestor?

In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure, and may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people of Asian descent. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Crestor or if you have liver disease. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Crestor. Crestor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

¿What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Crestor?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Crestor, or if you have liver disease. Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;
a muscle disorder;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
a severe infection or illness; or
if you have had a very recent surgery or medical emergency.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Crestor, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure, and may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people of Asian descent. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use rovustatin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether Crestor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

¿How should I take Crestor?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Crestor is usually taken once a day. You may take the medicine with or without food. Take Crestor at the same time each day. It is important to use rovustatin regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Crestor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Do not stop using Crestor without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks of taking the medication before your condition improves. Store Crestor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

¿What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

¿What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. The symptoms of a Crestor overdose are not known.

¿What should I avoid while taking Crestor?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Crestor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Crestor. Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends, and do not take it within 2 hours after taking Crestor. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb Crestor. Crestor side effects Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Crestor and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
chest pain; or
swelling in your hands or feet;

Continue taking Crestor and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

weakness;
nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea;
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
headache; or
pain or burning when you urinate.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

¿What other drugs will affect Crestor?

Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

cimetidine (Tagamet);
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
other cholesterol-lowering medications, such as clofibrate (Atromid-S), fenofibrate (Tricor), or gemfibrozil (Lopid).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Crestor or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Crestor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

¿Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about Crestor written for health professionals that you may read.

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