What are the effects of an overdose of Crestor (rosuvastatin)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: August 2, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Side Effects of Crestor (Rosuvastatin) Overdose

In case of a Crestor (rosuvastatin) overdose, immediate medical attention is required as it can cause serious adverse effects including muscle damage, kidney injury, and liver dysfunction. 1

Primary Concerns in Rosuvastatin Overdose

Muscle-Related Effects

  • Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: The most serious concern in statin overdose is severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis), which can lead to kidney failure and potentially death 1
  • Signs include:
    • Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
    • Fever or unusual fatigue
    • Dark urine (indicating myoglobin from damaged muscle)

Liver Effects

  • Acute liver injury can occur with symptoms including:
    • Unusual fatigue or weakness
    • Loss of appetite
    • Upper abdominal pain
    • Dark urine
    • Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) 1

Kidney Effects

  • Protein and blood in urine
  • Acute kidney injury secondary to rhabdomyolysis
  • Higher risk with pre-existing kidney disease 1

Other Significant Effects

  • Gastrointestinal disturbances:
    • Severe nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Constipation (which can be severe) 1
  • Neurological effects:
    • Headache
    • Dizziness
    • Cognitive effects

Risk Factors for Severe Overdose Reactions

Certain patients are at higher risk for complications from rosuvastatin overdose:

  • Age ≥65 years
  • Asian descent
  • Uncontrolled hypothyroidism
  • Pre-existing kidney problems
  • Concurrent use of medications that interact with rosuvastatin 1, 2

Management of Rosuvastatin Overdose

  1. Immediate medical attention: Contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency care 1

  2. Supportive care:

    • Monitoring of vital signs
    • IV hydration to protect kidneys
    • Monitoring of creatine kinase (CK), liver enzymes, and kidney function

  3. Laboratory monitoring:

    • Creatine kinase (CK) levels
    • Liver function tests
    • Kidney function tests
    • Electrolytes (particularly potassium)
    • Urinalysis for myoglobinuria

Drug Interactions That May Worsen Overdose Effects

Certain medications can increase rosuvastatin levels and potentially worsen overdose effects:

  • Cyclosporine
  • Gemfibrozil
  • Antiretroviral agents
  • Vitamin K antagonists
  • Certain antifungal medications 2

Prevention of Overdose Complications

  • Store medication safely out of reach of children
  • Take exactly as prescribed
  • Do not double-dose if a dose is missed
  • Be aware of potential drug interactions
  • Report any unusual symptoms to healthcare providers promptly 1

Special Considerations

Rosuvastatin has a long half-life (approximately 20 hours) 3, which means effects of overdose may persist longer than with some other medications. This requires extended monitoring in severe cases.

The hydrophilic nature of rosuvastatin may result in less penetration into peripheral tissues compared to lipophilic statins, but this doesn't eliminate the risk of serious adverse effects in overdose situations 2, 4.

References

2
Research

Rosuvastatin-associated adverse effects and drug-drug interactions in the clinical setting of dyslipidemia.

American journal of cardiovascular drugs : drugs, devices, and other interventions, 2010

3
Research

Rosuvastatin: a highly efficacious statin for the treatment of dyslipidaemia.

Expert opinion on investigational drugs, 2002

Related Questions

Does rosuvastatin (statin) cause constipation?
Should the treatment plan be adjusted for a patient with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, who is experiencing muscle pain, weakness, and stomach upset while taking rosuvastatin (rosuvastatin)?
Can a patient take Crestor (Rosuvastatin) if they are allergic to Lovastatin?
Can rosuvastatin (Crestor) cause bruising on the skin?
Can rosuvastatin (statin medication) cause body ache?
Can a patient be on a life vest (Automated External Defibrillator) and still have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in place?
What is the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of Shigelosis?
What should a patient taking metformin (biguanide) 850mg do if they are experiencing weight loss and diarrhea?
How to manage a patient with iron deficiency anemia?
What is the timeframe for onset of liver dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, and rhabdomyolysis after a rosuvastatin (rosuvastatin) overdose?

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.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question