medicationPrescription only (US)Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is FDA-approved to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with dyslipidemia or elevated cardiovascular risk markers
RosuvastatinBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: crestor
Rosuvastatin, marketed commonly under names such as Crestor, is a medication belonging to the class of drugs known as statins. It is primarily used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in the blood. It is typically taken evening.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
Evidence: Strong — 2 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Evidence strengthStrong · 4/4
PreclinicalStrong human evidence
2 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Plasma half-life
~19 h
Typical timing
evening
Default unit
mg
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
Reported for Rosuvastatin in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Rosuvastatin entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive proteinRidker PM, Danielson E, Fonseca FA, Genest J, Gotto AM Jr, Kastelein JJ, et al. · The New England Journal of Medicine · 2008 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 18997196
- [2]Comparison of the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin across doses (STELLAR Trial)Jones PH, Davidson MH, Stein EA, Bays HE, McKenney JM, Miller E, et al. · The American Journal of Cardiology · 2003 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 12860216
How to track Rosuvastatin doses
Tracking Rosuvastatin well takes four fields and a habit. Here is what to record so the log is still useful in three months.
- 1
Add the dose and unit
Log Rosuvastatin with its dose in mg so totals stay comparable over time — including days when you split the dose or skip it.
- 2
Set the time of day and food rule
Typical timing is evening. Reminders fire at that time and can export to your calendar.
- 3
Check it against the rest of the stack
Run Rosuvastatin through the interaction checker against everything else in the routine — supplements, peptides, hormones and prescriptions — before it becomes a daily habit.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 19 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Rosuvastatin alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg
- Time of day
- Taken / skipped / delayed
- Any side effects or notable changes
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Rosuvastatin dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Rosuvastatin?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Rosuvastatin, marketed commonly under names such as Crestor, is a medication belonging to the class of drugs known as statins. It is primarily used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in the blood. By reducing these substances, rosuvastatin helps to decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Rosuvastatin is often prescribed in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise, to optimize its effects. The medication is available as an oral tablet and is considered a potent statin (Mayo Clinic). It is a prescription-only medication, meaning its use must be directed and monitored by a licensed healthcare provider.
Rosuvastatin was approved for medical use in the United States in 2003 (FDA label). It works by targeting a key step in cholesterol production within the liver. The benefits of rosuvastatin extend beyond just lipid lowering; it also has a role in managing conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia and can be used in certain individuals without established cardiovascular disease but who are at increased risk. The decision to initiate rosuvastatin therapy and the appropriate dosage is highly individualized and determined by a clinician based on a patient's overall cardiovascular risk profile and specific lipid levels (FDA label).
What does the research say about Rosuvastatin?
Tap a section to expand.
Rosuvastatin functions by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the liver's production of cholesterol. By blocking HMG-CoA reductase, rosuvastatin significantly reduces the amount of cholesterol the liver produces (PubChem). This reduction in cholesterol synthesis leads to several effects beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Specifically, the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase primarily lowers the synthesis of mevalonate, a precursor to cholesterol. This results in a decreased concentration of intracellular cholesterol within liver cells. To compensate for this decrease, liver cells increase the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on their surface. These receptors are responsible for taking up LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. Consequently, more LDL cholesterol is removed from circulation, leading to a reduction in plasma LDL-C levels, often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol (DrugBank).
In addition to lowering LDL-C, rosuvastatin can also modestly increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often called 'good' cholesterol, and reduce triglyceride levels (NIH NLM, MedlinePlus). The combined effect of these changes in lipid profiles contributes to its efficacy in reducing atherosclerotic plaque formation and subsequent cardiovascular events.
Source for this section: Sources for How does Rosuvastatin work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
The primary clinical benefits of rosuvastatin revolve around its ability to manage dyslipidemia and reduce cardiovascular risk:
* **Lowering LDL-C (Bad Cholesterol):** Rosuvastatin is highly effective at reducing elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis (Cochrane Review).
* **Reducing Total Cholesterol:** By impacting cholesterol synthesis, it contributes to an overall decrease in total circulating cholesterol levels.
* **Increasing HDL-C (Good Cholesterol):** While its primary action is on LDL-C, rosuvastatin can also lead to a modest increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is associated with cardiovascular protection.
* **Lowering Triglycerides:** It helps to reduce high levels of triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood that can contribute to heart disease risk (NIH NLM, MedlinePlus).
* **Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease:** In individuals without a history of heart disease but with multiple risk factors (e.g., age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking), rosuvastatin can significantly reduce the risk of a first heart attack or stroke (Mayo Clinic).
* **Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease:** For patients who have already experienced a cardiovascular event, rosuvastatin therapy helps prevent recurrent events and complications (Examine.com).
* **Managing Familial Hypercholesterolemia:** It is used in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, in both adults and pediatric patients old enough to receive treatment, as well as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FDA label).
* **Slowing Atherosclerosis Progression:** By consistently lowering lipid levels, rosuvastatin can help to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques and slow the progression of arterial hardening (Examine.com). A licensed clinician will evaluate individual needs.
Rosuvastatin's efficacy in lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction is supported by extensive research, including large-scale clinical trials and meta-analyses.
One landmark study, the JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin), demonstrated that rosuvastatin significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events in individuals with normal LDL-C levels but elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammatory marker (Cochrane Review). This trial highlighted rosuvastatin's role in primary prevention for those at increased inflammatory risk.
Another significant body of evidence comes from the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial, which compared intensive statin therapy with rosuvastatin to moderate statin therapy. This study showed that more intensive lipid lowering with rosuvastatin led to greater reductions in cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (Examine.com).
Meta-analyses of multiple statin trials, including those involving rosuvastatin, have consistently shown a strong correlation between LDL-C reduction and decreased risk of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death (Cochrane Review). The benefits observed are generally proportional to the degree of LDL-C lowering achieved.
Pediatric data also support the use of rosuvastatin in children aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, showing significant reductions in LDL-C (FDA label). Ongoing research continues to explore additional potential benefits and optimal applications of rosuvastatin in various patient populations. The FDA label details the specific indications and populations studied.
As with any medication, rosuvastatin can cause side effects. Many individuals tolerate it well, but some may experience adverse reactions. Common side effects often include:
* Headache
* Muscle pain (myalgia)
* Abdominal pain or discomfort
* Nausea
* Weakness (asthenia)
* Dizziness
* Constipation
More serious, but less common, side effects can occur and require immediate medical attention:
* **Muscle Problems (Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis):** This can range from muscle pain and tenderness to severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), which can lead to kidney damage. Symptoms include severe muscle pain, weakness, dark urine. The risk is increased with higher doses and certain co-administered medications (FDA label).
* **Liver Problems:** Rosuvastatin can, in rare cases, cause liver enzyme elevations. Symptoms of liver problems may include unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Regular liver function tests may be monitored by a clinician (NIH NLM, MedlinePlus).
* **Kidney Problems:** Particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney dysfunction, rosuvastatin can potentially worsen kidney function or, rarely, lead to proteinuria (protein in the urine) without significant impact on renal function (FDA label).
* **New-onset Diabetes:** Some statins, including rosuvastatin, have been associated with a small increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially in individuals already at high risk (Cochrane Review).
* **Memory Loss/Confusion:** Rare reports of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, confusion) associated with statin use have occurred but are generally reversible upon discontinuation (FDA label).
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Several important warnings are associated with rosuvastatin use to ensure patient safety:
* **Muscle Symptoms:** Patients should be advised to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. This could be a sign of statin-induced myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure (FDA label).
* **Liver Function Monitoring:** Liver enzyme levels should be monitored by a healthcare provider before initiating rosuvastatin therapy and periodically thereafter. If persistent elevations in transaminases occur, the medication may need to be discontinued (MedlinePlus).
* **Alcohol Consumption:** Excessive alcohol intake may increase the risk of liver side effects with rosuvastatin. Patients should discuss their alcohol consumption with their clinician (NIH NLM).
* **Thyroid Dysfunction:** Rosuvastatin should be used with caution in patients with uncontrolled hypothyroidism, as this condition can increase the risk of muscle side effects (FDA label).
* **Diabetes Risk:** While the cardiovascular benefits of statins generally outweigh the small risk of new-onset diabetes, patients at high risk for diabetes should be monitored for glycemic control (Cochrane Review).
* **Interstitial Lung Disease:** Rare cases of interstitial lung disease have been reported with some statins. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, non-productive cough, and general malaise (FDA label).
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Rosuvastatin is contraindicated in certain situations where its use could be harmful or is not recommended:
* **Active Liver Disease:** This includes unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases. The medication can exacerbate liver dysfunction (FDA label).
* **Hypersensitivity:** Individuals with a known allergy to rosuvastatin or any component of its formulation should not use it.
* **Pregnancy:** Rosuvastatin is contraindicated in pregnant women because cholesterol and cholesterol derivatives are essential for fetal development. There is a potential risk of fetal harm (FDA label).
* **Lactation (Breastfeeding):** Rosuvastatin is contraindicated in nursing mothers due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants (FDA label).
* **Severe Renal Impairment:** In patients with severe kidney problems (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min), especially those not on hemodialysis, higher doses are generally contraindicated due to increased drug exposure (FDA label).
* **Concomitant use of Cyclosporine:** Co-administration with cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant) significantly increases rosuvastatin exposure and is therefore contraindicated (DrugBank).
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Rosuvastatin can interact with several other medications, which can either increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of rosuvastatin or the other drug. It is crucial to inform your clinician about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
* **Cyclosporine:** Co-administration with cyclosporine is contraindicated due to a significant increase in rosuvastatin exposure (FDA label).
* **Gemfibrozil (a fibrate):** Concurrent use with gemfibrozil can substantially increase rosuvastatin exposure and the risk of myopathy. Combination use is generally avoided (Examine.com).
* **Other Fibrates (e.g., Fenofibrate):** While less severe than with gemfibrozil, combination with other fibrates can also increase the risk of muscle problems. Close monitoring is recommended.
* **Niacin (in lipid-lowering doses):** High doses of niacin (over 1 gram per day) used for lipid modification can increase the risk of muscle toxicity when combined with statins (NIH NLM).
* **Colchicine:** There have been reports of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when colchicine is co-administered with statins, including rosuvastatin (FDA label).
* **Warfarin and other anticoagulants:** Rosuvastatin can potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. International Normalized Ratio (INR) should be closely monitored when these drugs are used together (DrugBank).
* **Protease Inhibitors (used for HIV/AIDS):** Certain protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir) can significantly increase rosuvastatin exposure, necessitating dose adjustments or avoidance (FDA label).
* **Erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics:** These can slightly increase rosuvastatin levels; caution is advised (PubChem).
* **Oral Contraceptives:** Rosuvastatin can increase plasma concentrations of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel in women taking oral contraceptives (FDA label).
* **Antacids containing Aluminum and Magnesium:** These antacids can decrease plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin, reducing its effectiveness, if taken within two hours of rosuvastatin (FDA label).
This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Rosuvastatin is typically taken once daily. While it can be taken at any time of day, some clinicians may suggest taking it in the evening. This recommendation is sometimes based on the general understanding that cholesterol synthesis tends to be higher at night. However, the long half-life of rosuvastatin suggests that its efficacy is generally maintained regardless of the time of day it is taken (DrugBank). It can be taken with or without food, as food does not significantly impact its absorption (FDA label). Individual needs and clinician's specific instructions for dosing vary and should be followed.
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Rosuvastatin?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What interacts with Rosuvastatin?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any supplement + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist. |
| Any vitamin + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider. |
| Berberine | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Berberine inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, raising statin levels and myopathy risk.Source pending | Separate dosing and monitor for muscle pain; consider lower statin dose. |
| CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) | Complementary | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Statins block CoQ10 biosynthesis via the mevalonate pathway; supplementing may reduce muscle symptoms.Source pending | Consider 100–200 mg CoQ10 daily while on a statin. |
| Ubiquinol | Complementary | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Statins deplete CoQ10; ubiquinol replenishes it.Source pending | Consider 100 mg ubiquinol daily. |
Frequently asked questions about Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin is a medication. It is also known as crestor. What follows is drawn from peer-reviewed literature indexed on PubMed, FDA label text where a label exists, and NIH reference records.
Rosuvastatin is commonly discussed in the context of the goals discussed on its profile page. Individual response varies, and use should be reviewed with a licensed clinician who can weigh the benefits and risks for your situation.
For Rosuvastatin, it is typically taken evening and its approximate half-life is 19 hours, which influences dosing frequency. Always follow the specific dose your clinician or the product label prescribes.
Rosuvastatin carries potential side effects and drug interactions, documented in NIH, Mayo Clinic, and FDA label sources. Rosuvastatin is classified as a controlled substance in some jurisdictions, so legal status and prescribing rules apply. Stop use and contact a clinician if you experience unexpected symptoms.
Rosuvastatin is a medication, and interactions are possible with prescriptions, hormones, peptides and other supplements in the same routine. Because Rosuvastatin is usually taken evening, most avoidable conflicts come from what else lands in that same window. With a reported plasma half-life near 19 hours, separating doses can change the picture as much as removing one. Risk depends on dose, timing and what else is taken the same day, so each pairing has to be checked rather than assumed safe. The free checker at https://doseroutine.com/interaction-checker covers Rosuvastatin with no sign-up.
Combining a medication like Rosuvastatin with TRT is usually a question of labs rather than a blanket yes or no: the ester, injection interval and any aromatase inhibitor all change the answer. No general contraindication applies across every TRT protocol, so confirm the combination with the prescribing clinician. See the free TRT interaction reference: https://doseroutine.com/trt-supplement-interactions
Each peptide class carries its own profile against Rosuvastatin: a healing peptide raises different questions than a GLP-1 agonist or a growth-hormone secretagogue. Check the combination peptide by peptide rather than as one group, and review it with a clinician familiar with peptide protocols.
With a plasma half-life near 19 hours, once-daily dosing is the usual pattern for Rosuvastatin. It is typically taken evening. Frequency is a clinical decision, not a fixed rule — confirm it with the prescriber or product label. Comparison of apps that keep a schedule like this: https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps
With a plasma half-life near 19 hours, a single missed dose of Rosuvastatin usually has a smaller effect on overall exposure than an irregular pattern of missed doses does. Doubling up to "catch up" is generally not appropriate unless the label or prescriber says so. Follow the missed-dose instructions on your label or from your clinician, and log the miss so the pattern is visible later rather than forgotten.
For Rosuvastatin the useful record is the dose, the time it was actually taken, and what else was taken in the same window. A written log or spreadsheet works for planning but does not remind you or flag conflicts — see the honest comparison at https://doseroutine.com/vs/spreadsheet and the wider roundup at https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps — DoseRoutine tracks the schedule, the remaining supply and interactions with the rest of your routine in one place.
Which studies looked at Rosuvastatin?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Comparative Effects of Low-Dose Rosuvastatin, Placebo, and Dietary Supplements on Lipids and Inflammatory Biomarkers(opens PubMed in a new tab)J Am Coll Cardiol · 2023 · PMID 36351465 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36351465/
- 2.Comparison of the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin across doses (STELLAR* Trial)(opens PubMed in a new tab)Am J Cardiol · 2003 · PMID 12860216 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12860216/
- 3.Rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin treatment in adults with coronary artery disease: secondary analysis of the randomised LODESTAR trial(opens PubMed in a new tab)BMJ · 2023 · PMID 37852649 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37852649/
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- PubChem CID 6439133(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6439133
Verify at
Publisher search links for Rosuvastatin. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- Examine.com(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Examine.com · publisher search
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Rosuvastatin?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Rosuvastatin, marketed commonly under names such as Crestor, is a medication belonging to the class of drugs known as statins. It is primarily used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (lipids) in the blood. It is typically taken evening.
Source: DoseRoutine — https://doseroutine.com/library/rosuvastatin
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Rosuvastatin — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/rosuvastatin
What compounds are similar to Rosuvastatin?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.