Rosuvastatin oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved rosuvastatin oral tablet to:

• lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and some kinds of blood vessel surgery in certain adults
• lower cholesterol levels in adults with hyperlipidemia, along with diet 
• lower cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in adults, along with diet
• lower cholesterol levels in adults and some children with a type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, along with diet
• lower cholesterol in adults with a rare form of genetic high cholesterol called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, sometimes along with other medications
• lower triglycerides in adults, along with diet
• treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (a rare inherited condition that causes high cholesterol and triglyceride levels) in adults

This article describes possible side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for rosuvastatin. You can explore this overview article to learn more about rosuvastatin, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Rosuvastatin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Crestor.

More common side effects of rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin 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 rosuvastatin oral tablet include:

• constipation
• feeling weak
• headache
• mild muscle aches
• nausea

Mild side effects of rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin 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 rosuvastatin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• feeling weak
• headache
• mild joint pain
• mild muscle aches
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• mild allergic reaction*

Rosuvastatin oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of rosuvastatin in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from rosuvastatin 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 Food and Drug Administration (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 rosuvastatin.

Serious side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
• liver problems*
• myopathy*
• rhabdomyolysis*
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of rosuvastatin in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of rosuvastatin

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does rosuvastatin cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases rosuvastatin oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with rosuvastatin oral tablet include:

• high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
• liver problems
• muscle damage

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 rosuvastatin may last.

Can rosuvastatin 10 mg cause fewer side effects than rosuvastatin 20 mg?

Possibly. Some of the side effects of statin drugs, including rosuvastatin oral tablet, are related to the dose. This means higher doses may be more likely to cause side effects than lower doses. But this usually isn’t a problem until you reach the maximum daily dose. At the 40 milligrams (mg) maximum daily dose of rosuvastatin oral tablet, you may see more side effects than with 20 mg rosuvastatin oral tablet and lower doses.

You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have side effects that are bothersome, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage the problem. Don’t change your dosage of rosuvastatin oral tablet without talking with your doctor.

Do side effects of rosuvastatin go away?

Yes, most of the side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet will go away as your body gets used to the drug. But it’s possible to have side effects that last or become serious.

Tell your doctor if you have side effects that aren’t going away. They can let you know how long the side effect is expected to last or if you might need a change in your treatment.

Coupon for rosuvastatin

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for rosuvastatin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects rosuvastatin in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet.

Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis

In studies, mild muscle pain was common in people taking rosuvastatin oral tablet. But more serious muscle problems, including myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) are possible. These serious side effects are rare.

With myopathy, you have damage to your muscles that control body movements. Symptoms may include muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. With rhabdo, the muscle damage is severe enough to cause muscle breakdown. This releases protein and other substances into the blood, which can damage the kidneys. In rare cases, it can be fatal.

Symptoms of rhabdo can include:

• muscle pain, which may be severe
• dark color urine
• confusion or disorientation

Certain factors can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis with rosuvastatin oral tablet. These include:

• being age 65 years or older
• being of Asian descent, which may affect how your body processes rosuvastatin
• taking certain drugs prescribed in combination with rosuvastatin
• taking higher doses of rosuvastatin
• kidney disease
• hypothyroidism

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of muscle pain or weakness, tell your doctor. They may recommend a lab test to check for muscle damage.

But if you think you’re having symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Liver problems

It’s been reported that rosuvastatin may cause increased liver enzyme levels. In very rare cases, high liver enzymes may be a sign of liver damage that could lead to liver failure. These serious problems were reported in people taking rosuvastatin oral tablet after it was approved for use.

Symptoms of serious liver problems may include:

• dark urine
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

Certain factors can increase the risk of liver problems with rosuvastatin oral tablet. These include consuming large amounts of alcohol and already having liver disease. Because of this, doctors usually don’t prescribe rosuvastatin oral tablet to people with liver disease.

Ways to manage

Due to the risk of liver problems, doctors usually will order a liver function test before and soon after you start taking rosuvastatin oral tablet. If you experience symptoms of serious liver problems, call your doctor right away.

Allergic reaction

For some people, rosuvastatin oral tablet 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 rosuvastatin oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for rosuvastatin

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking rosuvastatin oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take rosuvastatin oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether rosuvastatin oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking rosuvastatin oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• alcohol use
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• hypothyroidism
• past allergic reaction to rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin and pregnancy

Rosuvastatin 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 rosuvastatin.

Rosuvastatin and breastfeeding

Rosuvastatin oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re 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 rosuvastatin.

Rosuvastatin and alcohol

Rosuvastatin oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Drinking lots of alcohol while taking rosuvastatin oral tablet increases the risk of serious liver problems.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with rosuvastatin oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet. 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:

• How do the side effects of rosuvastatin oral tablet compare with those of other statin drugs?
• Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
• What can I do to prevent side effects from rosuvastatin oral tablet?

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.