The Centers for Disease Control state that more than 102 million American adults over the age of 20 have total cholesterol levels above 200mg/dL, which is higher than it should be, and over 35 million people in this same group have cholesterol levels over 240 mg/dL which means they are at high risk for heart disease. Fortunately there is medication that can help reduce cholesterol.
Crestor is the brand-name for the generic medication rosuvastatin.
What is “good” cholesterol and what is “bad” cholesterol?
Good cholesterol = HDL = high-density lipoprotein. This cholesterol actually absorbs bad cholesterol and takes it back to the liver, which then breaks it down and removes it from your body. Higher HDL levels protect you from heart disease and stroke.
Bad cholesterol = LDL = low-density lipoprotein. This is the cholesterol that raises your risk for heart disease and stroke. If you have too much LDL cholesterol in your body it will build up in your arteries. This is known as “plaque”. The more it builds up the narrower your blood vessels are, restricting the blood flow to your organs. If enough plaque builds up it can block the blood flow to your heart causing a heart attack.
How does rosuvastatin help reduce cholesterol?
Rosuvastatin is a statin drug that helps lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol in your body, thereby decreasing your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. It accomplishes this in two ways: It blocks certain enzymes in the liver which make the liver produce cholesterol, and it also increases the ability of the liver to break down the cholesterol that is in the blood stream.
How do I take rosuvastatin?
Your doctor will prescribe the amount of rosuvastatin you need to take depending on your cholesterol levels, your age, any medical conditions you might have, and any other medications you may be taking. Remember, if you are taking any prescription medications, non-prescription medications, supplements or vitamins, you do need to tell your doctor about them before you take rosuvastatin.
Brand-name Crestor is available in: 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg pills.
Generic rosuvastatin is available in: 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg pills.
The active ingredient in both Crestor and rosuvastatin is rosuvastatin calcium.
Rosuvastatin may take 2-4 weeks before having an effect on your cholesterol levels, so it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day.
What conditions does rosuvastatin treat?
This medication is often used for the prevention of heart attack and to prevent stroke. It also used to treat:
- High cholesterol
- Combined high cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Hardening of the arteries due to plaque build up
- Excessive fat in the blood stream
- Homozygous inherited high blood cholesterol
Are there any side effects from rosuvastatin?
Some people may notice an increase in blood sugar levels, so it is important to monitor your blood sugar while taking rosuvastatin. Most common side effects include:
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Memory loss and confusion
Talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you experience unexplained pain, dark urine, stomach or belly pain, extreme fatigue, or fever.
What else can I do to reduce my cholesterol?
A healthy low cholesterol and low-fat diet is the first step to reducing your cholesterol. You may also want to lose weight, begin exercising and stop smoking if you are a smoker.
Did you find this article helpful? These related articles may help:
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If you have questions about your prescription medications or any other medication, please contact our team at Canada Online Health by calling toll free 1-800-399-DRUG (3784). One of our patient representatives will be happy to assist you or transfer you to a licensed Canadian pharmacist for a free consultation.
This article contains medical information provided to help you better understand this particular medical condition or process, and may contain information about medication often used as part of a treatment plan prescribed by a doctor. It is not intended to be used as either a diagnosis or recommendation for treatment of your particular medical situation. If you are unwell, concerned about your physical or mental state, or are experiencing symptoms you should speak with your doctor or primary health care provider. If you are in medical distress please contact emergency services (such as 911).
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