ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL) High blood cholesterol levels, inherited high blood cholesterol levels, inherited high levels of fat (lipids) in the blood.
BRAND NAME Crestor
DRUG CLASS
Antihyperlipidemic/HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
DESCRIPTION
This drug is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, pain in the joints (arthralgia), disorder of the muscles (myopathy), presence of protein or blood in the urine,
constipation, nausea, pain in the muscles (myalgia), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), weakness or loss of strength (asthenia),
skin reactions such as rash and itch, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), alteration in results of liver function tests
CAUTIONS
Liver function abnormality
History of heavy alcohol consumption
People aged over 70 years
History of liver disease
History of muscular side effects during previous treatment with a statin or fibrate medicine
People taking a fibrate medicine
People of Asian origin.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, warfarin
FOOD INTERACTIONS
Alcohol, Grapefruit juice
HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Unknown
PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
Pregnancy category X; not recommended for nursing mothers.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Report symptoms of myalgia, muscle tenderness, or weakness.
May be taken with or with out food and regardless of the time of day.
