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Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin is a drug licensed to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides, among other conditions related to heart disease. It works by blocking an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. In research studies, people taking it for high cholesterol were able to lower LDL cholesterol by up to 63 percent and total cholesterol by up to 40 percent.
Rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor®) is a prescription medication used for treating a number of conditions related to heart disease, including high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Approved uses include:
- Lowering cholesterol in people with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). Rosuvastatin can reduce total cholesterol, LDL ("bad cholesterol"), ApoB, non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides -- as well as raise HDL ("good cholesterol").
- Lowering triglycerides in people with high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia).
- Treating dysbetalipoproteinemia, a rare genetic condition characterized by high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- As an add-on treatment in people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia to help lower total and LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.
- Slowing the progression of atherosclerosis (a hardening and narrowing of the arteries).
- Reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and bypass surgeries (or other revascularization procedures) in people at risk for heart disease.
(Click What Is Rosuvastatin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD