Crestor is part of a group of medications called statins. Crestor uses the active ingredient rosuvastatin to treat high cholesterol. It aims to control the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels to keep you as healthy as possible on a long term basis.
Statins work by lowering your cholesterol levels and consequently reduce the risk of developing serious health problems in the future, such as heart attacks and strokes.
How does Crestor work?
Crestor, and other statins, work by slowing down your liver’s production of cholesterol, which in turn will result in overall lower levels of LDL cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol) present in your body. Crestor also increases your levels of HDL, known as ‘good’ cholesterol, and this will help keep your levels of bad cholesterol down.
Statins also help the liver to remove LDL cholesterol that’s already in your blood.[1] All of this won’t just promote healthier cholesterol levels going forward, but it will help prevent heart attacks and strokes from happening in the future too.
What doses of Crestor are there?
Crestor isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of medication, each person will need a dosage that fits their needs. Crestor comes in 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40 mg dosages, so there are a few different options and you will only get the right one prescribed to you.
The severity of the cholesterol and other medications you take or conditions you have can all affect the dosage of Crestor you need, so it’s better to speak to our physician so they can assess all the factors and advise you on the best dosage.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on February 25, 2025. Next review due on February 25, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CrestorRosuvastatin
How to take Crestor
Taking Crestor is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is swallow a tablet at the same time every day. Setting an alarm and getting into a routine can make it easier for you to remember when it’s time to take your tablet.
The tablet can be taken with or without food, so you don’t need to coordinate your mealtimes with medication-taking times. A glass of water can help make swallowing the tablet easier.
Remember to get regular cholesterol checks from a doctor. They’ll see how Crestor is affecting your cholesterol levels, and if your dose needs to be adjusted.
How long does it take Crestor to work?
Your body won’t feel the effects of Crestor immediately after you start taking it; it can take up to a week for Crestor to take any effect, but it takes longer than that to reach its full benefits. The timeline varies and every person will react uniquely to the medication, but you almost certainly get the full benefits of Crestor in less than a month of using it.
What should I do if I make a mistake when using Crestor?
If you forget to take a tablet and it’s almost time for your next one, just skip it and take the following dose as scheduled. You shouldn’t take two tablets at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
To make sure that you don’t forget if you took your tablet or not, and to avoid taking more tablets than necessary, you can get a pill organizer that will tell you if you took that day’s dose or not. This can be especially useful if you take multiple medications.
If you accidentally take too much Crestor you should seek emergency medical attention. A healthcare professional will be able to treat your symptoms.[1]
Treated trusted source:
CDC (2024).Treat and Manage High Cholesterol. Cholesterol
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on February 25, 2025. Next review due on February 25, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CrestorRosuvastatin
Crestor isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.
Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our physician know, and they can talk with you about it.
CrestorRosuvastatin
Crestor: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Crestor different from other treatments for high cholesterol?
Answer:
Crestor is the best option for people with severe cases of high cholesterol as it works faster and more effectively. Its active ingredient, rosuvastatin, is part of the highest-intensity group of statins, so it's pretty powerful.[1]
Most studies that were done on Crestor and other statins have also shown that rosuvastatin, the active ingredient in Crestor, is more effective in the management of cholesterol levels than other types of statins.[2]
Is Crestor similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Crestor is the branded version of statins that use the active ingredient rosuvastatin, the generic version has the same name as the active ingredient - Rosuvastatin. These two medications will work the exact same way, but the difference between the two isn’t just the name, it’s the price too, as the generic is usually cheaper.
Which dose of Crestor should I use?
Answer:
The dose of Crestor you take will depend on how high your cholesterol levels are and how long you take Crestor for. You will usually start on a 5mg or 10mg tablet a day which will increase after some time if needed. If your cholesterol levels are under control with 5mg or 10mg you can continue taking that dose.
The lowest dosage of Crestor available might be offered to you if you’re over 70, if you’re of Asian origin, if you have kidney problems or myopathy. This is because people in these groups will be at higher risk of adverse effects if they take higher dosages of Crestor.
How effective is Crestor?
Answer:
Studies have shown that 5mg of rosuvastatin, or Crestor, is highly effective in high cholesterol treatment. It lowers LDL cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B levels, and it increases HDL cholesterol levels[3]. In other words, Crestor can effectively eliminate most of the bad cholesterol in your body and increase the amount of good cholesterol, which in turn will keep the bad cholesterol under control.
Studies also show that Crestor can lower your cholesterol levels more than other statins such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin.
Do I need a prescription for Crestor?
Answer:
Yes, you will need a prescription to get Crestor. In fact, you will need a prescription to get any statin, as you will have to be monitored by a physician to make sure that the medication is working as intended. A physician will also need to check that it’s safe and suitable for you to use in the first instance.
Treated trusted source:
Kim, J., et al. 2018.High‐Intensity Versus Non‐High‐Intensity Statins in Patients Achieving Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goal After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(21).
Meor Anuar Shuhaili, M.F.R., et al. (2017). Effects of Different Types of Statins on Lipid Profile: A Perspective on Asians. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, In Press.
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Feb 25, 2025
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr. Joseph Palumbo, Senior Medical Adviser
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
This is healthcare on your terms.
All from the comfort of your device. Get access to what you need, when you need it.
100% online
Ask questions and get expert recommendations, at the touch of a button.
Tailored choices
We'll narrow down some treatments for you to choose from based on your medical profile.
Secure shipping
Receive your treatment by express delivery, in discreet packaging.
Easy automatic refills
Set your own delivery schedule and pause or make changes any time you like.
We're making healthcare more about you. Sign up to our newsletter for personalised health articles that make a difference.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Dr. Joseph Palumbo
Senior Medical Adviser
Joseph joined Treated in 2023, and is one of the lead doctors providing prescribing services for the platform.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Reviews you can trust
All of our reviews are collected from real patients after their treatment has been delivered.
We publish reviews collected through independent platforms including Reviews.io and Trustpilot.