Crestor is classified as a statin medication, which means that it lowers the bad cholesterol levels, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides and increases the good cholesterol levels, also known as high-level lipoprotein (HDL).

Adults and children who are above the age of eight can use Crestor to lower the levels of HDL and triglycerides in the blood and to greatly reduce the rate at which fatty deposits build up in your blood vessels. Triglycerides are a type of fat that is produced by excess calories that your body doesn’t need to use right away. They are stored in fat cells for a later time when your body needs energy.

Adult men over the age of fifty and adult women over the age of sixty who have risk factors for heart disease can use Crestor to reduce the chances of having a stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications.

Another use for Crestor is to treat hereditary forms of high cholesterol inherited from one or both parents. If it was inherited from one parent (heterozygous), Crestor can be used in children who are eight years old or older. If it was inherited from both parents (homozygous), Crestor can be used in children who are at least seven years old or older.

Crestor is meant to be taken precisely the way your doctor prescribed as it should not be taken more or less than the amount recommended to you. To get the best results out of your Crestor treatment, your doctor may find it necessary to keep changing your dose to find the dose that works the best for you. Please follow the instructions on the label of your prescription.

Crestor is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. You may need to take Crestor on a long-term basis.

You may need to stop using this medicine for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);

• severely low blood pressure;

• a severe infection or illness;

• dehydration; or

• surgery or a medical emergency.

You should not stop using Crestor unless your doctor tells you to.

Crestor is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Crestor can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use rosuvastatin if you are pregnant.

Before taking Crestor, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Crestor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

You should not take rosuvastatin if you have liver disease, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Crestor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

There are many other drugs that can increase your risk of serious medical problems if you take them together with Crestor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Crestor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Crestor: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;

• confusion, memory problems; or

• liver problems - upper stomach pain, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Common side effects may include:

• headache;

• weakness;

• muscle aches; or

• nausea, stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects