Rosuvastatin

About rosuvastatin

Lipids, or fats, are made naturally in your body from the food you eat. They are easily stored in your body and serve as a source of energy. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipid. If the concentration of these lipids in your blood becomes too high, it leads to a condition called hyperlipidaemia. If it is the concentration of cholesterol which has become too high, it is called hypercholesterolaemia. Although a high blood concentration of lipids will not make you feel ill, it can cause a problem if it is left untreated.

People with high lipid levels can develop small fatty patches called atheroma. These patches develop when excess fat is deposited on to the walls of blood vessels. Over time, these patches can make a blood vessel narrower and this is called atherosclerosis (sometimes referred to as 'hardening of the arteries'). The narrowing reduces the blood flow through the artery and increases the risk of a number of heart and blood vessel diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.

Rosuvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It regulates the amount of cholesterol and other lipids made by your body. It does this by blocking the action of a certain enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) which your body needs to make the fats. This lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel disease. It can also reduce this risk, even if your cholesterol levels are normal, if you are at an increased risk of heart disease.

Before taking rosuvastatin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking rosuvastatin it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have ever had a disease which has affected your liver.

• Si tiene una glándula tiroides hipoactiva.

• If you have a problem with unexplained muscle aches or pains, or if you (or a close relative) have ever had a muscle disorder.

• If you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de sus riñones.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.
  

How to take rosuvastatin

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about rosuvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take rosuvastatin once each day, exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be started on a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg daily. If you are of Asian origin or over 70 years old, you will need to take the lower 5 mg dose to start with. Some other people will also need to take this lower dose at first. Your doctor will increase your dose after four weeks of treatment if this is considered necessary. There are several strengths of tablet available, so your doctor will tell you which strength is right for you.

• You can take rosuvastatin at a time of day to suit you. You should, however, try to take your doses at the same time of day each day. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take rosuvastatin before or after food.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, omita la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis al mismo tiempo para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so that your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have some blood tests from time to time. These are to measure your lipid levels and also to check that your liver has not been affected by taking rosuvastatin.

• Your doctor will give you advice about eating a healthy diet, cutting down on the amount of alcohol you normally drink, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, stopping smoking, and taking regular exercise. Following this advice will also help you to reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease.

• Women taking rosuvastatin must avoid getting pregnant. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner.

• Some antacids can reduce the amount of rosuvastatin your body absorbs, so if possible, avoid taking indigestion remedies during the two hours before or during the two hours after you have taken rosuvastatin.

• Treatment with rosuvastatin is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You should continue to take the tablets regularly.

Can rosuvastatin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with rosuvastatin, although these tend to be mild. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store rosuvastatin

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos