Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Crestor to:
This article describes possible side effects of Crestor oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Crestor, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Crestor is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called rosuvastatin. This article describes possible side effects of Crestor.
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More common side effects of Crestor
Crestor oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Crestor oral tablet include:
- headache
- nausea
- muscle pain
- weakness
- constipation
Mild side effects of Crestor
Crestor may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Crestor oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- headache
- nausea
- muscle pain
- weakness
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- dizziness
- joint pain
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Crestor in detail” section below.
Crestor oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of Crestor
Crestor may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Crestor oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Crestor.
Serious side effects of Crestor oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Crestor in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of Crestor
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Crestor oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of Crestor in women compare with those seen in men?
In studies, the side effects of Crestor oral tablet were similar in females* compared to males*. There were no differences in side effects based on sex.
However, Crestor can cause harm to an unborn baby. Due to this risk, females* of childbearing age should use effective birth control while taking Crestor.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.
*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Can Crestor 10 mg cause fewer side effects than the drug’s other strengths?
It’s possible. But in studies, there were no significant differences in side effects based on the drug’s strengths.
However, the risk of certain side effects, such as muscle problems*, increases with higher doses of Crestor. Therefore, taking a lower dose of Crestor may reduce your risk of muscle problems.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Crestor in detail” section below.
Does Crestor cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases Crestor oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with Crestor oral tablet include muscle problems*.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Crestor may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Crestor in detail” section below.
Do side effects of Crestor go away?
Typically, yes. Most side effects of Crestor oral tablet will go away when your body gets used to the drug or after you stop the medication.
But in some cases, Crestor oral tablet can cause side effects that last for a while. This includes severe muscle problems*.
If you have concerns about how long the side effects of Crestor will last, talk with your doctor.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Crestor in detail” section below.
Side effects of Crestor in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Crestor oral tablet.
Severe muscle problems
In studies, severe muscle problems occurred in people taking Crestor oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With severe muscle problems, you may experience muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, with or without fever or feeling of illness.
In some cases, these muscle problems can cause rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a life threatening condition caused by a breakdown of muscle tissue. The breakdown of damaged muscle tissue releases substances into your blood that can damage your kidneys and heart. This can cause kidney damage, kidney failure, and heart rhythm problems.
Certain factors can increase the risk of severe muscle problems with Crestor oral tablet. These include:
- being age 65 years or older
- having hypothyroidism that isn’t well managed
- having a history of kidney problems
- taking certain other drugs, especially other drugs used to lower cholesterol
- taking a higher dosage of Crestor
- being of Asian descent
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of muscle problems, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely run tests to monitor your kidney health. They can also help determine whether you should stop taking Crestor oral tablet.
Liver problems
In studies, liver problems occurred in people taking Crestor. This side effect can range from mild to serious. Most of the time, this side effect happened soon after starting Crestor and did not cause symptoms.
In rare cases, Crestor may cause liver failure. But it’s important to note that liver failure wasn’t seen during studies of Crestor. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking Crestor, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Crestor was the cause.
Symptoms of liver problems may include:
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- unexplained weight loss
- abdominal pain
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
Certain factors can increase the risk of liver failure with Crestor. These include:
- substantial alcohol use
- history of liver disease
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, doctors may order tests to monitor your liver health before and during your treatment with Crestor.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend that you stop Crestor.
Increase in blood sugar levels
In studies, increased blood sugar levels were rare in people taking Crestor oral tablet. This side effect can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Crestor oral tablet may increase your fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C. A1c is an average of your blood sugar level over three months. It is a lab value doctors use to help diagnose diabetes. This can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
With high blood sugar levels, you may experience symptoms such as:
- extreme thirst
- frequent urination
- constant hunger
- fatigue
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about high blood sugar levels, tell your doctor. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Crestor oral tablet with you. They can also give you tips on how to minimize this risk, such as getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.
For some people, Crestor can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Crestor, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Crestor
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Crestor oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Crestor oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Crestor is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Crestor oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include if you:
- have a history of liver or kidney problems
- are age 65 years and older
- are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- are taking antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium
- have had past allergic reaction to Crestor
Crestor and pregnancy
Crestor oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Crestor.
Crestor and breastfeeding
Crestor oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Crestor.
Crestor oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But your doctor may still recommend that you limit or avoid alcohol while taking Crestor. Crestor and alcohol can both cause serious liver problems on their own. Combining the two can greatly increase the risk of liver problems.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Crestor.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Crestor. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is my risk of muscle problems higher, given my medical history?
- Is it safe to drink in moderation while taking Crestor?
- How do the side effects of Crestor compare with those of other statins?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
