Rosuvastatin

What is Rosuvastatin?

Rosuvastatin is a tablet that can lower cholesterol levels in your blood and improve your long-term cardiovascular health. It belongs to a class of drugs known as statins, which can reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver produces and ease the inflammation in your artery walls. 

Cholesterol is a type of lipid that plays a part in various essential processes and helps give you energy. There are three main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol). Statins work by lowering the levels of unhealthy cholesterol.^[1]

How does Rosuvastatin work?

Rosuvastatin lowers your LDL levels by blocking the enzyme in the liver needed to make cholesterol. It can also improve your liver’s ability to flush out the LDL that’s already in your blood.^[2]

Taking Rosuvastatin daily, along with dietary changes and regular exercise, can also reduce the inflammation of your artery walls. This means blood can flow through your arteries smoothly, reducing the chances of blockages that could damage your vital organs. 

What doses does Rosuvastatin come in?

Rosuvastatin is available in four doses: 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. 

The starting dose for adults with high cholesterol is usually either the 5mg or 10mg tablets, once a day. This is normally the case even if you’ve taken statins before at higher doses. 

A clinician can advise you on which dose will suit you best. If your cholesterol levels show no signs of improvement on the 5mg or 10mg tablets, they might increase your dose to 20mg-40mg a day.

Some people (such as those with kidney problems or anyone over 70) will need to start out on the minimum dose of 5mg. 

How to take Rosuvastatin

You can take your tablet with or without food at any time of the day, by swallowing it whole with a drink of water. This gives you the flexibility to choose when you want to take it, but taking Rosuvastatin at the same time each day means you’re less likely to miss a dose or take more than you should.

You could keep the tablets somewhere visible (such as a bathroom cabinet you’ll use in the morning), or try setting an alarm for the same time each day to keep in a routine.

How long does Rosuvastatin take to work?

Rosuvastatin should start to work within a week of taking your tablets daily. It can take up to a month to feel the full effects.

If you take your tablets as prescribed, your cholesterol levels should start to drop. A clinician might suggest having some blood tests done to see if your cholesterol levels are improving.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Rosuvastatin?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember – unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you’re thinking of stopping Rosuvastatin treatment, speak to a clinician first. They can advise you about how it might impact your cholesterol levels, and whether it’s safe for you to try and manage your condition without the help of medication.