From the Guidelines
Side effects of Crestor (rosuvastatin) typically resolve within a few days to weeks after stopping the medication, though this varies depending on the specific side effect, as noted in the most recent guideline 1. The resolution time for side effects can vary significantly depending on the type of side effect. Common side effects like headache, nausea, and stomach pain usually disappear within days of discontinuation.
- Muscle pain and weakness, which are more concerning side effects, may take 2-4 weeks to fully resolve, as suggested by management algorithms for statin-treated patients 1.
- Liver enzyme elevations generally normalize within 2-3 weeks. However, some rare but serious side effects like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) may take longer to resolve and could require medical treatment. If you're experiencing persistent or severe side effects from Crestor, consult your healthcare provider before stopping the medication, as abruptly discontinuing statins can increase cardiovascular risk in some patients, as emphasized in guidelines for the treatment of blood cholesterol 1. Your doctor might recommend gradually tapering the dose, switching to a different statin, or adjusting the dosing schedule to help manage side effects while maintaining cholesterol control, considering the patient's individual metabolism, kidney and liver function, age, and the duration they've been taking the medication, as well as the potential for drug interactions and the need for regular monitoring 1.
From the Research
Side Effects of Crestor
The side effects of Crestor, also known as rosuvastatin, are generally mild and transient. According to the study 2, the most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events were:
- Myalgia
- Constipation
- Asthenia
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea These side effects were mostly mild and transient, and the incidence of severe myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure was low.
Duration of Side Effects
The study 2 does not provide specific information on the duration of side effects. However, it mentions that the side effects were mostly transient, suggesting that they may resolve on their own within a short period.
Management of Side Effects
The study 3 suggests that supplementing with co-enzyme Q10 may help reduce statin-induced myalgia. Additionally, the study 4 recommends that clinicians be cautious when co-administering rosuvastatin with certain drugs that may increase the risk of toxicity.
Exercise and Physical Activity
The study 5 found that statins, including rosuvastatin, may increase the incidence of exercise-related muscle complaints, but do not consistently reduce muscle strength, endurance, overall exercise performance, or physical activity. However, this study does not provide specific information on the duration of side effects related to exercise and physical activity.
Summary of Side Effects
In summary, the side effects of Crestor are generally mild and transient, and may include myalgia, constipation, asthenia, abdominal pain, and nausea. While the duration of side effects is not well established, supplementing with co-enzyme Q10 and being cautious with certain drug interactions may help manage side effects. Additionally, statins may increase the incidence of exercise-related muscle complaints, but do not consistently affect exercise performance or physical activity 2, 3, 4, 5.