Rosuvastatin, sold most widely as Crestor, is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used for hyperlipidaemia with high-intensity LDL lowering. This guide covers how it works, what a standard course looks like, and how ShiningRX supplies it to trade buyers and consumers in the USA, UK and Australia.
Key takeaways
- Rosuvastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor indicated for hyperlipidaemia with high-intensity LDL lowering.
- Typical dosing: 5–10 mg once daily, up to 40 mg in specialist use.
- Onset is LDL response at 2–4 weeks; effect lasts 24-hour dosing.
- Most reported side effects are myalgia and other mild, self-limiting reactions.
- Store below 30 °C.
Rosuvastatin at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug class | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor |
| Common brand | Crestor |
| Licensed use | hyperlipidaemia with high-intensity LDL lowering |
| Available strengths | 5, 10, 20, 40 mg |
| Dosage form | film-coated tablet |
| Typical onset | LDL response at 2–4 weeks |
| Duration / dosing interval | 24-hour dosing |
| Storage | below 30 °C |
How Rosuvastatin works
As a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, Rosuvastatin acts on the pathway that drives hyperlipidaemia with high-intensity LDL lowering. The pharmacological effect is dose-related, which is why prescribers begin at the lowest useful strength and adjust on response rather than starting at the maximum. In practice that means 5–10 mg once daily, up to 40 mg in specialist use
Starting a Rosuvastatin course
- 1
Clinical assessment
Confirm the indication for hyperlipidaemia with high-intensity LDL lowering, review comorbidities and check the contraindication list before the first dose.
- 2
Initiate at the standard dose
5–10 mg once daily, up to 40 mg in specialist use
- 3
Review at the first checkpoint
Reassess once the expected onset window of LDL response at 2–4 weeks has passed and document tolerability.
- 4
Titrate or switch
If response is partial and tolerance is good, step up within the licensed range; if tolerance is poor, consider Atorvastatin.
Safety profile in brief
Commonly reported effects include myalgia, headache, proteinuria at high dose. Rosuvastatin should be avoided in pregnancy, active liver disease, and caution in Asian patients at 40 mg. Any severe, persistent or unexpected reaction warrants stopping the medicine and seeking clinical review.