Rosuvastatin

Rosuvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It is used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that builds up in your blood vessels and causes narrowing, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Rosuvastatin is a widely prescribed medicine and is regarded as safe for long- term use. It can be taken with a meal or on an empty stomach. You can take it at any time of the day but try to take it at the same time each day. Most people with high cholesterol do not feel ill, but stopping your medicine may increase your cholesterol levels, making your condition worse and increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

It is important to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. This medicine is only one part of the treatment program which should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake, and weight reduction. You can eat normally while taking this medicine, but try to avoid foods that are high in fat.

Common side effects of this medicine include muscle pain, weakness, nausea, headache, and stomach pain. These are usually mild and disappear after a short time. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you notice any yellowing of your eyes or get repeated or unexplained muscle pains.

This medicine should not be used in conditions such as liver disease. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not take this medicine as it may harm the developing baby. Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar levels while taking this medicine, as it may lead to an increase in blood sugar levels.

• Treatment of High cholesterol
• Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Treatment of High cholesterol
Rosuvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It works by reducing the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raising the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. Lowering the amount of cholesterol reduces the chances of heart diseases and helps you remain healthier for longer.

Take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes (such as eating healthy and staying active) to maximize the effectiveness of this medicine. Keep taking it even if you feel well.

Prevention of heart attack and stroke
High levels of cholesterol can cause your blood vessels to narrow (atherosclerosis) and put you at risk of having a stroke or heart disease. Lowering the amount of this fat reduces the chances of this happening and helps you remain healthier for longer. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Rozavel

• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Joint pain
• Nausea

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Rosuvastatin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required by the body to make cholesterol, thereby lowering "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol (HDL).

• Rosuvastatin treats high cholesterol by lowering "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats). It should be taken in addition to regular exercise and low-fat diet.

• In general, Rosuvastatin is safe. It may cause diarrhea, gas or an upset stomach. If any of these happen to you, take it with food.

• Inform your doctor if you experience fatigue, muscle weakness or muscle pain.

• Your doctor may check your liver function before starting the treatment and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems such as stomach pains, unusually dark urine or yellowing of skin or eyes.

• Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes before starting treatment with this medicine. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar level regularly as Rosuvastatin may cause an increase in your blood sugar level.

• Do not take Rosuvastatin if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Gotto AM Jr, Opie LH. Lipid-Modifying Antiatherosclerotic Drugs. In: Opie LH, Gersh BJ, editors. Drugs for the Heart. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Elsevier Saunders; 2013. pp. 420-22.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1238-39.

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