Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin is a statin for high LDL cholesterol; PockDose lists it as generic Crestor in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets and as Roszet, a 10/10mg tablet with ezetimibe.
Rosuvastatin in brief
Rosuvastatin is a statin, so it slows the enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that the liver uses to build cholesterol. With less cholesterol made internally, the liver pulls more LDL out of the blood. It is used for high cholesterol and mixed fat disorders and, in people who carry other heart risks, to lower the chance of heart attack and stroke. Milligram for milligram it is one of the stronger statins, which is why its tablets top out at 20mg here, where atorvastatin goes higher.
What PockDose lists
Crestor is generic rosuvastatin in tablets of 5mg, 10mg and 20mg. That range matters more for rosuvastatin than for most statins: blood levels run roughly twice as high in people of Asian ancestry, so the 5mg tablet is the usual starting strength for them.
Roszet is a combination tablet with 10mg of rosuvastatin and 10mg of ezetimibe, an absorption blocker that works in the gut rather than the liver. It suits someone who would otherwise take the two separately. You can read about that second ingredient on the ezetimibe page.
How it is taken
Once a day, at any time, with or without food. The tablet is swallowed whole, not split, chewed or crushed. Rosuvastatin is a long-term medicine, because cholesterol returns when it is stopped, and a forgotten tablet is taken when remembered, but never alongside the next one.
Effects and interactions
Constipation, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping and joint pain are the commonly reported effects. Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly with fever or dark red urine, a rash, swelling of the face or throat, or yellow skin or eyes, needs urgent treatment, and so does muscle pain that carries on after the tablet is stopped.
An antacid containing aluminium or magnesium hydroxide cuts how much rosuvastatin is absorbed, so it is taken at least 2 hours after the tablet. Ciclosporin and gemfibrozil raise rosuvastatin levels, and it can strengthen the blood-thinning effect of warfarin. It is not used in pregnancy, breastfeeding or active liver disease. Unlike atorvastatin and simvastatin, grapefruit juice is not a concern.
Sources
- Rosuvastatin: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- ROSUVASTATIN CALCIUM tablet label — DailyMed
Where can I buy Rosuvastatin in Hong Kong?
Rosuvastatin can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists generic Crestor tablets in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg, plus Roszet tablets in 10/10mg, a combination of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted payment page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
What is the price of Rosuvastatin?
Prices vary between the two rosuvastatin products and between pack sizes. Every product page lists its current prices in HKD or in the currency you choose.
Do I need a prescription to order Rosuvastatin?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order rosuvastatin. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for rosuvastatin?
Crestor is a brand name of rosuvastatin, which is also sold as Rosulip and Rosuvas. Here, rosuvastatin can be bought online as generic Crestor. These are generics, not the original brand.
Why is rosuvastatin started at 5mg for people of Asian ancestry?
Studies found blood levels of rosuvastatin about twice as high in people of Asian ancestry as in others, so the lowest strength is the usual start. That is the reason the 5mg tablet is listed, with 10mg and 20mg above it.
Can I take rosuvastatin in the evening?
Yes. Morning or night both work, as long as the time is the same each day. It does not have to be taken in the evening the way simvastatin usually is.
Is Crestor the same as rosuvastatin?
Yes. Crestor is a brand name for rosuvastatin. The Crestor listing on PockDose is generic rosuvastatin in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets, and the combination tablet Roszet adds ezetimibe to the same rosuvastatin.
Does rosuvastatin interact with grapefruit?
Not in a way that matters. Rosuvastatin is mostly cleared without the liver enzyme grapefruit blocks, which is why grapefruit juice is a concern for atorvastatin and simvastatin but not for rosuvastatin.