From the Guidelines
Patient education for individuals taking Crestor (rosuvastatin) is crucial and should include counseling on the risks of myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as the benefits of statin treatment, to address common misperceptions and improve adherence. This education should be provided at the beginning of treatment and repeated as necessary, particularly in cases of early discontinuation or when treating asymptomatic patients 1. Key points to cover in patient education include:
- Taking the medication exactly as prescribed, typically once daily with or without food
- Understanding the mechanism of action of Crestor in lowering cholesterol
- Recognizing potential side effects, such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, and reporting them immediately to the healthcare provider
- Disclosing all medications being taken to avoid interactions
- Maintaining regular follow-up appointments for blood tests to monitor liver function and cholesterol levels
- Adopting lifestyle modifications, including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, and smoking cessation, to complement medication therapy
- Avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice due to potential interactions
- Informing the healthcare provider about pregnancy, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, as Crestor is contraindicated in these situations. Regular re-counselling sessions, particularly at 1 and 6 months after starting treatment, can help prevent non-adherence and ensure that patients understand the importance of continuing therapy to reduce the risk of coronary events 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the rosuvastatin dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.
Patient education for individuals taking Crestor (rosuvastatin) should include:
- Risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: Patients should be informed of the risk of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness associated with elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels and rhabdomyolysis.
- Reporting symptoms: Patients should be instructed to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. 2
From the Research
Patient Education for Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
Patient education is crucial for individuals taking Crestor (rosuvastatin) to ensure they understand the medication's purpose, potential side effects, and importance of adherence. The following points are essential for patient education:
- Medication purpose: Crestor is used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with or without existing heart disease 3.
- Dosage and administration: Patients should take Crestor as directed by their healthcare provider, usually once daily, with or without food 4.
- Potential side effects: Common side effects of Crestor include myalgia, arthralgia, constipation, and nausea 3, 4. Patients should report any severe or persistent side effects to their healthcare provider.
- Laboratory monitoring: Regular laboratory tests are necessary to monitor liver function, kidney function, and lipid profiles while taking Crestor 4, 5.
- Lifestyle modifications: Patients should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight management, to maximize the benefits of Crestor therapy 3.
- Adherence: Patients should be educated on the importance of adhering to their prescribed medication regimen to achieve optimal cholesterol reduction and cardiovascular risk reduction 6.
Special Considerations
Certain patient populations may require special consideration when taking Crestor:
- Statin-intolerant patients: For patients who have experienced intolerance to statins in the past, an every-other-day dosing regimen of Crestor may be considered 5.
- High-risk patients: Patients with high cardiovascular risk may benefit from combination therapy with Crestor and ezetimibe to achieve greater reductions in LDL-C levels 6.
- Patients with renal impairment: Crestor dosage may need to be adjusted in patients with renal impairment to minimize the risk of adverse effects 4.