Rosuvastatin Side Effects

When rosuvastatin side effects occur, they are generally minor and can easily be treated by a healthcare provider. Some common side effects of rosuvastatin include headache, diarrhea, and runny nose and congestion. A few rare side effects with this medicine include kidney failure, pancreatitis, and allergic reactions. If you experience any side effects, or anything that "just does not seem right," while taking rosuvastatin, let your healthcare provider know.

 

Rosuvastatin Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor®). However, not everyone who takes rosuvastatin will experience side effects. If a person does develop rosuvastatin side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by a healthcare provider.
 
If side effects do occur, most people do not need to discontinue their medicine. In previous research studies, up to 3.7 percent of people taking rosuvastatin stopped their prescription because of side effects.
 
If you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking rosuvastatin (especially if they are accompanied by a fever or body aches), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Crestor and Muscle Pain).
 

Common Rosuvastatin Side Effects

(The rosuvastatin side effects discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with rosuvastatin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of rosuvastatin side effects with you.)
 
Rosuvastatin has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, side effects are always documented. The most common rosuvastatin side effects observed were muscle tenderness or pain (myalgia), constipation, abdominal pain (or stomach pain), nausea, and body weakness (asthenia). Other common rosuvastatin side effects included:
 
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Back pain
  • Flu symptoms
  • Urinary tract infections (UTI)
  • Runny nose and congestion (rhinitis)
  • Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis).
     
(Rosuvastatin Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;