Rosuvastatin Calcium (Antihyperlipidemic)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Rosuvastatin Calcium?

Answer 1

Crestor

Question 2

What strength Crestor tablets are available?

Answer 2

5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg

Question 3

What is this drug indicated for & dosed at?

Answer 3

• Typical -statin indications, dose is 5-40mg QD
• If used for family history, dose is 40mg
• If used as an adjunct to diet to slow atherosclerosis, dose is 10-20mg/day

Question 4

What should the providers monitors when their patient is on Crestor?

Answer 4

Liver Function Tests

Lipid Panel

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action of Rosuvastatin?

Answer 5

Rosuvastatin is a selective, competitive inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase

Question 6

What are the drug interactions of Crestor?

Answer 6

• Cyclosporine coadministration increases rosuvastatin plasma levels by 7-11 fold
• Use with warfarin produces clinically significant rises in INR
• Use with gemfibrozil increases rosuvastatin plasma levels 2-fold
• Use with fenofibrate does not produce significant changes in the plasma levels of either drug
• Coadministration (within 2 hours) of antacids significantly decrease Crestor plasma levels

Question 7

What are the contraindications of Rosuvastatin?

Answer 7

• Contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or with unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases and during pregnancy/lactation
• Use in women of childbearing age only when patients are highly unlikely to conceive and been informed of the potential hazards
• Use with caution in patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease
• It is recommended that LFT be performed before and at 12 weeks following any increase in dose.
• May cause rare cases of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis ,so use with caution in patients >65, with renal impairment, and hypothyroidism.
• Pregnancy Category X

Question 8

What are the adverse effects of Crestor?

Answer 8

Most frequent adverse effects include myalgia, constipation, asthenia, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Question 9

What should the RPh say while counseling a patient on Rosuvastatin?

Answer 9

• Contact a MD if you experience nay symptoms of myopathy, especially if accompanied by malaise or fever
• Closely follow prescribed diet
• Do not become pregnant during therapy
• Limit alcohol intake during therapy
• If a dose is missed, take ASAP. If it is more than 8 hours since tie of planned dose, skip this dose.