Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on May 19, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

This article describes rosuvastatin’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of rosuvastatin.

Rosuvastatin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of rosuvastatin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about rosuvastatin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for rosuvastatin.

* To view rosuvastatin’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with rosuvastatin oral tablet are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about rosuvastatin’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for rosuvastatin.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Rosuvastatin oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• feeling weak
• nausea
• mild muscle pain
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view rosuvastatin’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for rosuvastatin” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of rosuvastatin are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about rosuvastatin’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for rosuvastatin.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Rosuvastatin’s serious side effects include:

• muscle damage that could lead to kidney problems
• liver problems, such as an increase in liver enzymes
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view rosuvastatin’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for rosuvastatin” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about rosuvastatin.

How does rosuvastatin compare with other similar drugs, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, or fenofibrate?

Rosuvastatin, atorvastatin (Lipitor), and simvastatin (Zocor) all belong to a group of drugs called statins. Fenofibrate (Trilipix, Antara) belongs to a group of drugs called fibrates. Statins and fibrates work in different ways to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They’re prescribed in different situations and in different people.

Statins are more effective than fibrates for lowering cholesterol. Statins have also been shown to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Rosuvastatin and simvastatin are the most effective of the statins for lowering cholesterol.

Fibrates are more effective than statins for lowering triglycerides. Rosuvastatin is sometimes used together with fenofibrate if rosuvastatin hasn’t lowered triglyceride levels enough on its own.

Statins and fibrates can cause some similar and some different side effects. They can also interact with different drugs. To learn more about how rosuvastatin compares with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor.

What brand-name drugs are available for rosuvastatin?

The brand-name version of rosuvastatin oral tablet is called Crestor. Ezallor Sprinkle is another brand-name form of rosuvastatin. Ezallor Sprinkle comes as an oral capsule, which isn’t currently available as a generic.

If you’re interested in taking a brand-name form of rosuvastatin, talk with your doctor.

Can rosuvastatin cause weight gain or hair loss?

No, rosuvastatin isn’t known to cause weight gain or hair loss. These side effects weren’t reported in studies of rosuvastatin. They also haven’t been reported with rosuvastatin since it’s been on the market.

Hair loss has been reported in rare instances with some other statins, such as simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin. But statins aren’t known to cause weight gain. If you’re concerned about weight gain or hair loss with rosuvastatin, talk with your doctor.

Does rosuvastatin cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases rosuvastatin may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug. But these side effects are rare.

Examples of long-term side effects include:

• muscle problems
• kidney problems
• liver problems

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of rosuvastatin may last if they occur.

Is it safe to take rosuvastatin with grapefruit?

Yes, you can take rosuvastatin with grapefruit. This isn’t the case with some other statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). But it’s safe to eat grapefruit and drink grapefruit juice while taking rosuvastatin.

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works, such as specific foods. This effect is called a drug interaction. To learn more about rosuvastatin’s interactions, see the “Interactions and warnings for rosuvastatin” section below. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about what may interact with this drug.

How does rosuvastatin work? And how long does it take to start working?

Rosuvastatin lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and helps prevent heart disease and stroke. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides that your liver makes. Having high levels of these fats in your blood can narrow your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke. Lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels helps prevent these problems.

Rosuvastatin starts working as soon as you start taking it. But it usually takes about 4 weeks to reach its full effect on your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And you’ll need to keep taking it long term to help manage your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your doctor will likely recommend blood tests to monitor your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and make sure rosuvastatin is working for you.

Rosuvastatin has a half-life of about 19 hours. A drug’s half-life is how long it takes for half of a dose of the drug to be cleared from your system. It usually takes about five half-lives for a drug to be fully removed from your system after you stop taking it.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as rosuvastatin for certain conditions. Approved uses for rosuvastatin are described below.

Use for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Doctors may prescribe rosuvastatin oral tablet for lowering high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain conditions. It’s used for this purpose in adults and some children. Doctors may also prescribe rosuvastatin for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke in certain adults.

Rosuvastatin is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment. It’s taken along with a nutritious diet that’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Specifically, the FDA has approved rosuvastatin for:

• treating primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia (high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats) in adults
• treating hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels) in adults
• treating heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a rare inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol) in adults and children ages 8 years and older
• treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a rare inherited condition that causes very high cholesterol) in adults
• treating primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (a rare inherited condition that causes high cholesterol and triglyceride levels) in adults
• slowing down atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) in adults
• reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and need for heart bypass surgery in adults at risk of heart disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors

With high cholesterol and triglycerides, you won’t usually have any symptoms. But these fats can build up inside your arteries, making your arteries narrower and stiffer. Such changes to your arteries may reduce blood flow to vital organs such as your heart. High cholesterol and triglycerides can also increase your risk of heart disease and blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke. Rosuvastatin helps prevent these problems.

Doctors may not prescribe rosuvastatin oral tablet in certain situations, such as for Fredrickson type I and type V dyslipidemias.

The dosage of rosuvastatin your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin oral tablet is taken by mouth with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take rosuvastatin. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of rosuvastatin

You should not take more rosuvastatin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much rosuvastatin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below, you’ll find information about rosuvastatin’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of rosuvastatin

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take rosuvastatin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for rosuvastatin” section below.

Warnings for rosuvastatin

Some people should not take rosuvastatin, and others should take it cautiously.

Rosuvastatin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether rosuvastatin is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of rosuvastatin you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for rosuvastatin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Rosuvastatin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe rosuvastatin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to rosuvastatin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and rosuvastatin

Information about rosuvastatin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Rosuvastatin and pregnancy

Rosuvastatin 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 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.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for rosuvastatin by using our Optum Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for rosuvastatin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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

This article describes rosuvastatin’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about rosuvastatin or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is rosuvastatin a blood thinner?
• Will you be prescribing other drugs with rosuvastatin?
• Is there anything I should avoid while taking rosuvastatin?

• Bener A, et al. (2014). Comparison of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of various statins in dyslipidemic diabetic patients. https://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2014;volume=46;issue=1;spage=88;epage=93;aulast=Bener
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Rosuvastatin calcium, rosuvastatin calcium tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f07922e5-a963-4ecf-86db-c1ae12f85224/spl-doc

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.