What is the recommended dosing for Crestor (rosuvastatin) in patients with hypercholesterolemia?

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From the FDA Drug Label

The dosage range for rosuvastatin tablets is 5 mg to 40 mg orally once daily. The recommended dose of rosuvastatin tablets depends on a patient’s indication for usage, LDL-C, and individual risk for CV events.

The recommended dosing for Crestor (rosuvastatin) in patients with hypercholesterolemia is 5 mg to 40 mg orally once daily. The dose depends on the patient's indication for usage, LDL-C, and individual risk for CV events.

  • The dosage range is 5 mg to 40 mg.
  • Administer rosuvastatin tablets orally as a single dose at any time of day, with or without food.
  • Assess LDL-C when clinically appropriate, as early as 4 weeks after initiating rosuvastatin tablets and adjust the dosage if necessary 1.

From the Research

The recommended starting dose of Crestor (rosuvastatin) for most patients with hypercholesterolemia is 10-20 mg once daily. Treatment can begin with 5 mg daily for patients who need less aggressive lipid lowering or who have predisposing factors for myopathy. For patients requiring more intensive cholesterol reduction, the dose can be increased to a maximum of 40 mg once daily. Dose adjustments should be made at 2-4 week intervals based on the patient's response and tolerability. For patients with severe renal impairment not on hemodialysis, the starting dose should be 5 mg daily with a maximum of 10 mg daily. Asian patients should also start with 5 mg daily due to increased systemic exposure. Rosuvastatin works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, thereby reducing LDL cholesterol production and increasing LDL receptor expression in the liver. This medication should be taken at the same time each day, with or without food, and patients should be advised to maintain a cholesterol-lowering diet and regular exercise during treatment.

Some key points to consider when dosing Crestor (rosuvastatin) include:

  • The efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, including a study published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 2
  • Rosuvastatin has been shown to be more effective than other statins, such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, in reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol 3, 4
  • The 5-mg dose of rosuvastatin has been found to be highly effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and improving other lipid parameters, and may be a good starting point for some patients 5
  • Every-other-day dosing of rosuvastatin may be an alternative regimen for cost savings, without a major decrease in therapeutic benefit or increase in adverse events, in patients with hypercholesterolemia 6

Overall, the choice of dose and dosing regimen for Crestor (rosuvastatin) should be individualized based on the patient's specific needs and circumstances, and should take into account factors such as the patient's lipid profile, medical history, and potential for drug interactions.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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