From the Guidelines
Rosuvastatin can cause several side effects, including muscle-related issues and hepatic dysfunction, but the overall incidence of side effects is similar to placebo, as noted in a recent study 1. The most common side effects of rosuvastatin include:
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation More serious but less common side effects include:
- Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
- Liver problems
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Memory problems or confusion Rhabdomyolysis, characterized by severe muscle pain, weakness, and dark urine, requires immediate medical attention, and liver issues may present as unusual fatigue, pain in the upper right abdomen, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as discussed in guidelines for managing statin-related side effects 1. Rosuvastatin may interact with certain medications, including some antibiotics, antifungals, and other cholesterol medications, potentially increasing side effect risks, and patients should take rosuvastatin exactly as prescribed, typically once daily with or without food, and report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly, as advised in clinical guidelines for statin use 1. Regular blood tests to monitor liver function and muscle enzymes are important, especially during the first year of treatment, and staying hydrated and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can help minimize side effect risks. It is essential to carefully evaluate and manage muscle symptoms, including pain, tenderness, stiffness, cramping, weakness, or fatigue, in statin-treated patients, as outlined in guidelines for the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults 1. If unexplained severe muscle symptoms or fatigue develop during statin therapy, it is crucial to promptly discontinue the statin and address the possibility of rhabdomyolysis by evaluating creatine kinase and creatinine and performing urinalysis for myoglobinuria, as recommended in clinical guidelines for managing statin-related side effects 1. Overall, while rosuvastatin can cause side effects, the benefits of statin therapy in reducing cardiovascular risk often outweigh the risks, and careful management and monitoring can help minimize adverse effects, as noted in recent clinical guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Rosuvastatin tablets may cause serious side effects, including: Muscle pain, tenderness and weakness (myopathy). Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown, can be serious in some people and rarely cause kidney damage that can lead to death. Liver problems. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking rosuvastatin tablets and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you take rosuvastatin tablets Protein and blood in the urine. Rosuvastatin tablets may cause you to have protein and blood in your urine. Increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels. The most common side effects may include headache, nausea, muscle aches and pains, weakness, and constipation.
The possible side effects of rosuvastatin include:
- Serious side effects:
- Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness (myopathy)
- Liver problems
- Protein and blood in the urine
- Increase in blood sugar levels
- Common side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscle aches and pains
- Weakness
- Constipation 2
From the Research
Rosuvastatin Side Effects
- The safety of rosuvastatin has been evaluated in several studies, with some indicating that it has a similar rate of elevations of hepatic enzymes as other statins 3.
- However, there have been reports of liver toxicity associated with rosuvastatin therapy, suggesting that it may have a greater potential to damage the liver compared to other statins 4.
- Adverse effects of rosuvastatin on skeletal muscle, liver, and kidney function have been found to be similar in frequency to those reported for other statins, except for the development of a mild form of proteinuria at high doses 5.
- A meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized controlled trials found that rosuvastatin was more efficacious than atorvastatin in reducing LDL cholesterol, with no significant difference in adverse events 6.
- Long-term use of rosuvastatin has been found to be associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular events, with a low risk of muscle toxicity and drug-drug interactions due to its chemical and pharmacokinetic properties 7.
Specific Side Effects
- Hepatic enzyme elevations: similar rate to other statins 3
- Liver toxicity: potential for greater risk compared to other statins 4
- Proteinuria: mild form at high doses 5
- Muscle toxicity: low risk due to chemical and pharmacokinetic properties 7
- Kidney function: no significant decline, with modest improvement in glomerular filtration rate 3