Crestor (Rosuvastatin) Tablets

Crestor is a medicine called a statin, which is used to treat high cholesterol. It contains the active ingredient Rosuvastatin. When taken daily, it lowers cholesterol levels, helping to protect against heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.

Manufactured by AstraZeneca, 5 mg Crestor tablets were approved for use in Europe by the EMA in March 2003—soon followed by the approval of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg tablets.

Rosuvastatin is used to manage high cholesterol or to prevent heart disease in people with additional cardiovascular risk factors. At euroClinix, we prescribe all dosage strengths of the branded Crestor to adults over 18 with high cholesterol.

Crestor works by blocking an enzyme in the liver needed to make cholesterol. Since your liver can’t make it, cholesterol is taken from your blood instead.

This helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels in the blood. With cholesterol levels effectively managed, plaque buildup in the arteries is reduced, significantly lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, and coronary heart disease.

Taking Crestor for high cholesterol provides many benefits to your health:

Lowers LDL cholesterol

Effectively reduces LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels to help maintain heart health.

Raises HDL cholesterol

Helps increase HDL ('good') cholesterol which aids in removing other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Reduces triglyceride levels

Lowers triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood that can contribute to heart disease when elevated.

Reduces plaque build-up

Helps prevent and reduce plaque accumulation in arteries, improving blood flow throughout the body.

Lowers cardiovascular risks

Significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Effective at lower doses

Provides strong cholesterol-lowering effects even at lower doses, potentially reducing side effects.

Suitable for high-risk patients

Research shows that Crestor demonstrated superior efficacy for high-risk patients compared to other statins like Simvastatin or Atorvastatin, making it an excellent choice for those with multiple risk factors.

Crestor is one of the most effective medicines used to lower cholesterol, and clinical trials have proven this.

One trial involving 986 patients compared Crestor to another popular statin: Lipitor, and found Crestor to be significantly more effective.

Statin effectiveness comparison

Percentage of patients reaching target cholesterol levels

Key findings:

• Crestor outperformed Lipitor at all time points
• The largest difference was at 12 weeks (26% higher effectiveness)
• Both medications reached peak effectiveness at 18 weeks

While well-tolerated by most, not everyone will benefit from taking Crestor for high cholesterol, and for some it may be unsafe. When you complete a consultation, our UK-registered doctors will determine whether treatment is safe for you.

Who can take it?

To obtain a prescription for Crestor from euroClinix, you must be over 18 and suffer from high cholesterol.

Who cannot take it?

Do not take Crestor of any strength if you have:

• an allergy to rosuvastatin or any other of its ingredients
• liver disease
• severe kidney problems
• repeated or unexplained muscle aches or pains

Additionally, do not take Crestor 40 mg (the highest dose) if you have:

• have moderate kidney problems
• have a thyroid gland that doesn’t work properly
• have a family history of unexplained muscle aches or pains
• are of Asian origin (Asians may have genetically higher exposure to statins)

Cautions

Furthermore, some conditions mean the safety of treatment will need to be determined by a doctor. In most cases, you can still take Crestor, but you may need a lower dose. Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• any problems with your kidneys
• any problems with your liver
• myasthenia (a disease causing muscle weakness)
• a severe skin rash after taking Crestor or similar medicines
• severe respiratory failure

Please disclose your health status during your online consultation with euroClinix. Our medical team will evaluate whether Crestor is suitable for you and may adjust your medications if needed.

To use Crestor correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our medical team prescribes. This ensures the drug's effectiveness and helps avoid side effects. In general, you should swallow your tablet whole with a glass of water, and not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, and it is the same day, take it as soon as you remember.

If the day has passed, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

You may start to see results after 2-4 weeks, but it may take longer to see a significant change in your cholesterol levels.

According to the clinical trial mentioned earlier, 74% of patients taking 20 mg Crestor daily achieved healthy cholesterol levels after 12 weeks. The other doses are similarly effective in suitable patients.

Statins like Crestor are usually taken for life. The cholesterol-lowering benefits will only last for as long as you are taking your medicine.

For this reason, it is important you find a medicine that works for you with limited side effects. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is particularly well tolerated, with many studies backing up its safety and effectiveness.

Implement the following lifestyle changes for high cholesterol while taking Crestor. These habits and choices can ensure treatment success and support general health.

Your Crestor lifestyle guide

Heart-healthy diet

Choose foods low in saturated fat. Increase fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and omega-3-rich fish. Limit processed foods and trans fats.

Regular activity

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. Walking, swimming or cycling help improve cholesterol levels alongside Crestor.

Monitor health metrics

Track cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Regular check-ups ensure Crestor is working effectively for you.

Maintain a healthy weight

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can improve cholesterol levels and improve biological markers.

Manage stress levels

Practise stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Chronic stress can negatively impact cholesterol levels.

Prioritise quality sleep

Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly. Poor sleep is linked to higher cholesterol and can reduce the effectiveness of treatments.

When managing high cholesterol, a low-cholesterol diet rich in heart-friendly foods can make a real difference. Think oats, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil — simple choices that support both your heart and overall health.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

Although mostly well-tolerated, Crestor can cause side effects. Crestor side effects include:

Common side effects

Uncommon side effects

Rare side effects

What are the long-term side effects of Rosuvastatin?

Since Crestor is usually taken long term, it is important to monitor how it affects you over time. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Muscle problems – muscle pain, weakness, or (rarely) serious muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).
• Liver issues – elevated liver enzymes or liver damage (usually monitored with blood tests).
• Diabetes risk – slight increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
• Memory problems – rare cases of memory loss or confusion, usually reversible after stopping.
• Kidney problems – particularly if muscle breakdown occurs.
• Tendon problems – rare reports of tendon rupture.

How to manage side effects

Most side effects should go away within a few days as your body gets used to the medicine. However, some may be persistent or bothersome. Here’s how to manage the most common ones:

Headaches

Stay well hydrated, limit caffeine, and stick to a regular sleep schedule to ease headaches.

Stomach pain

Eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid rich, spicy foods. Drinking plenty of water can also help.

Feeling sick (nausea)

Try eating bland foods like toast or crackers and avoid heavy meals. Staying upright after eating can also reduce nausea.

Muscle pain or weakness

Light stretching and low-impact exercise may help maintain muscle strength. If the pain is severe or doesn't improve, speak to a doctor promptly.

Dizziness

Get up slowly from sitting or lying down, and make sure you're eating regularly to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Managing side effects of statins

Take Crestor at the same time every day to help maintain steady levels in your body. If you experience severe muscle pain, weakness, or dizziness that doesn’t go away, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

For more detailed information, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Some medicines can impact the effectiveness of Crestor or increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take in your consultation, including the following:

Medicines that increase Crestor levels

• Organ transplant medicines (e.g. Ciclosporin)
• Cancer treatments (e.g. Regorafenib, Darolutamide, Capmatinib)
• Blood and immune disorder treatments (e.g. Fostamatinib)
• Gout treatments (e.g. Febuxostat)
• Hormonal treatments (e.g. Oral contraceptives, Hormone replacement therapy)
• Antiviral medicines (e.g. Ritonavir, Lopinavir, Sofosbuvir combinations)
• Certain antibiotics (e.g. Clarithromycin, Erythromycin)

Medicines that increase the risk of muscle problems

• Cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g. Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate, Ezetimibe)
• Antibiotics (e.g. Fusidic acid)

Other interactions

• Indigestion remedies (e.g. Antacids) – may reduce Crestor absorption if taken together
• Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin) – Crestor may enhance the blood-thinning effect of Warfarin

This list does not cover all possible interactions. For a comprehensive list, please visit the Crestor interactions checker on the BNF website.

Make sure you follow the safety guidelines detailed below during treatment. This ensures safety and reduces the risk of side effects.

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Avoid

Do not take Crestor if you are pregnant or suspect you might be. Statins can cause harm to the developing fetus, including birth defects.

Breastfeeding Avoid

Crestor is not recommended while breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm the baby. Consult your doctor for alternative treatments.

Alcohol Caution

Excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of liver problems. Limit your intake while taking Crestor.

Driving Safe

Crestor does not typically impair your ability to drive. However, if you experience side effects like dizziness or muscle pain, avoid driving and consult your doctor.

Smoking Avoid

Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular issues and can interfere with the effectiveness of Crestor. It is strongly advised to stop smoking while using Crestor.

Follow these guidelines when storing your Crestor tablets:

• Store below 30°C in the original packaging
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date

Disposal

Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Take any unused medication to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. These measures help to protect the environment.

No, Crestor is a prescription-only medication. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. This ensures the medication is safe and suitable for your needs

You can receive an online prescription from euroClinix.

Ordering Crestor online from euroClinix is convenient.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
2. UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
3. Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
4. Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, swift approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery make ordering quick and convenient.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Crestor at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

There are many statins available to lower your cholesterol, and one may be more suited to your needs. Consult this table to see how they compare:

Speak with your doctor to find out which statin is right for you.