From the Guidelines
Crestor (rosuvastatin) commonly causes muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, which affects about 10% of users, as well as other frequent side effects such as headache, nausea, stomach pain, constipation, and mild joint pain, as reported in the 2019 guideline on the management of blood cholesterol 1.
Common Side Effects
- Muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Mild joint pain
Less Common but Serious Side Effects
- Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
- Liver problems
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Memory problems or confusion These side effects occur because Crestor works by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in cholesterol production but also plays roles in other body processes.
Monitoring and Precautions
Patients should contact their doctor if they experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially with fever or unusual tiredness. Side effects are typically dose-dependent, with higher doses (20-40mg) more likely to cause problems than lower doses (5-10mg) 1.
Additional Considerations
Taking Crestor in the evening may help reduce some side effects since cholesterol production is highest at night. It is also important to note that statins, including Crestor, may increase the risk of developing diabetes, especially in patients with risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes 1. However, the benefits of statin therapy in reducing cardiovascular risk generally outweigh the potential risks.
Patient Education
Patients should be educated on the potential side effects of Crestor and the importance of monitoring their liver enzymes and blood sugar levels regularly. They should also be advised to report any unusual symptoms or side effects to their doctor promptly.
Clinical Decision Making
When prescribing Crestor, clinicians should carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks of therapy, taking into account the patient's individual risk factors and medical history. They should also consider alternative treatment options and lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, to help manage cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk.
From the FDA Drug Label
The most common side effects may include headache, nausea, muscle aches and pains, weakness, and constipation. The common side effects of Crestor (rosuvastatin) are:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscle aches and pains
- Weakness
- Constipation 2
From the Research
Common Side Effects of Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
The common side effects of Crestor (rosuvastatin) include:
- Myalgia (muscle pain) 3, 4
- Arthralgia (joint pain) 3
- Constipation 3, 4
- Nausea 3, 4
- Asthenia (weakness) 4
- Abdominal pain 4
- Proteinuria (presence of protein in the urine) 4, 5
- Microscopic hematuria (presence of blood in the urine) 4
Less Common Side Effects
Less common side effects of Crestor (rosuvastatin) include:
- Elevations in serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels 4
- Myopathy (muscle disease) 4
- Rhabdomyolysis (a serious syndrome due to direct or indirect muscle injury) 6
- Ischaemic colitis (inflammation of the colon due to reduced blood flow) 7
Renal and Hepatic Function
Rosuvastatin has been shown to be safe for renal and hepatic function, with no significant decline in renal function and a modest improvement in glomerular filtration rate 5. However, rare cases of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria have been reported 4, 5.