Is Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20mg associated with dizziness?

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Last updated: April 3, 2025View editorial policy

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From the FDA Drug Label

Other adverse reactions reported in clinical studies were abdominal pain, dizziness, hypersensitivity (including rash, pruritus, urticaria, and angioedema) and pancreatitis In the METEOR study, ... Adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients and at a rate greater than placebo are shown in Table 3 ... Dizziness2.84.0 In the JUPITER study, ... Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 2% of patients and at a rate greater than placebo are shown in Table 4

Dizziness is reported as an adverse reaction in clinical studies of rosuvastatin, including the METEOR study where it occurred in 4.0% of patients taking rosuvastatin 40 mg, and in the JUPITER study where it is not explicitly listed in Table 4, but is mentioned in the general list of adverse reactions.

  • The 20 mg dose is specifically mentioned in the JUPITER study, but dizziness is not explicitly listed as an adverse reaction for this dose in Table 4. However, dizziness is mentioned as an adverse reaction in the general text, and it can be inferred that it may occur with the 20 mg dose, but the exact frequency is not specified for this dose. 1

From the Research

Dizziness can be a side effect of Crestor (rosuvastatin) 20 mg, though it's not among the most common reactions, and patients experiencing dizziness should contact their healthcare provider rather than stopping the medication abruptly. If you're experiencing dizziness while taking Crestor, it's essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action. The dizziness might be temporary as your body adjusts to the medication, but it could also indicate that your dose needs adjustment or that you're experiencing a more significant side effect.

Possible Recommendations

  • Your doctor might recommend taking Crestor at bedtime to minimize dizziness during waking hours,
  • or they might consider lowering your dose to 10 mg to see if symptoms improve while still providing cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Managing Dizziness

  • Staying hydrated and avoiding sudden position changes (like standing up quickly) may help manage dizziness symptoms.
  • Crestor works by inhibiting an enzyme involved in cholesterol production in the liver, and sometimes this mechanism can affect blood pressure or cause other metabolic changes that might contribute to dizziness in some individuals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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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