Rosuvastatin

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Molly Becze, PharmD, BCPS
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on October 11, 2023

Rosuvastatin oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for high cholesterol and certain heart conditions. The brand-name versions of this drug are Crestor and Ezallor Sprinkle. The cost of rosuvastatin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.  

Rosuvastatin comes in these forms: Oral tablets that you swallow.

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

• decrease the risk of serious heart conditions, such as stroke and heart attack, in certain people who are at an increased risk of having heart disease
• lower cholesterol in certain adults and children 7 years of age and older who are also on a low cholesterol diet
• reduce high triglycerides (a type of fat) in certain adults who are on a low fat diet

Read on to learn about rosuvastatin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about rosuvastatin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of rosuvastatin

Like other medications, the cost of rosuvastatin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much rosuvastatin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for rosuvastatin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of rosuvastatin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for rosuvastatin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of rosuvastatin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for rosuvastatin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking rosuvastatin long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Rosuvastatin is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed rosuvastatin but you’re interested in taking Crestor or Ezallor Sprinkle, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of rosuvastatin compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about rosuvastatin and cost

Here are some common questions about rosuvastatin and their answers.  

Does rosuvastatin 10 mg cost less than rosuvastatin 20 mg?

Possibly. Rosuvastatin tablets are available in strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. The price you will pay for any strength of rosuvastatin will depend on several factors, including your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how much any strength of rosuvastatin will cost, talk with your pharmacist or your insurance provider.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about rosuvastatin

This article provides cost information related to rosuvastatin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for rosuvastatin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will a different strength of rosuvastatin cost less?
• Are there other lower cost medications that could treat my condition?
• Can I skip some doses of my medication to make it more affordable?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• 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 tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2e998dc7-e2a5-41e4-8758-aff545bb1f14/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.