Have you been prescribed Rosuvastatin for cholesterol? Let's learn everything about this drug! (Rosuvastatin)

Has your clinic prescribed a new medicine for cholesterol? Is it called Rosuvastatin? Or is your mother, father, or family member using this medicine? In fact, this is a very commonly used medicine that doctors prescribe to many people in our country. So it is very important for you and your family to know this medicine simply, clearly, and accurately. Let's talk about everything about this today.

Simply put, what is Rosuvastatin?

Rosuvastatin is a medicine that is used to control high cholesterol levels. It also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

If you ask how this works, it's very simple. Its main job is to reduce the levels of "bad" cholesterol in our blood, that is, LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and triglycerides . Imagine, this bad cholesterol is the kind that gets deposited on the walls of our blood vessels, gradually clogging them. When blood vessels become clogged in this way, serious diseases like heart attacks and strokes occur.

So Rosuvastatin not only lowers bad cholesterol, it also helps increase HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) , which is a type of "good" cholesterol that is beneficial to our body. What this HDL does is remove bad cholesterol from the blood vessels and take it to the liver. It's like someone sweeping the streets.

This medicine called Rosuvastatin belongs to the group of drugs called statins . But there is one thing to keep in mind.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

Before prescribing Rosuvastatin to you, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions about your health. However, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

How to use the medicine correctly?

To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.

• Swallow this medicine (capsule) whole with a glass of water.
• Do not break or crush the capsule, or chew it.
• Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. This will help you avoid forgetting to take your medicine and keep your levels consistent.
• You can take it before or after a meal. If you feel upset when taking it on an empty stomach, it is best to take it with a meal.
• If you have difficulty swallowing: Sometimes older people or others may have difficulty swallowing capsules. In such cases, you can carefully open the capsule and mix the medicine powder inside with about a teaspoon of room temperature applesauce, yogurt, or chocolate/vanilla pudding (about 10-15 seconds). Then swallow the mixture all at once. But remember, do not chew it.
• Important: If you are taking antacids containing aluminum and magnesium for heartburn or gastritis, you should take them 2 hours after taking Rosuvastatin. Do not take them together, as this will reduce the absorption of Rosuvastatin.
• Continue taking the medication until your doctor tells you to stop. Even if you feel better, you still need to take the medication to control your cholesterol levels internally.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

Please don't worry about forgetting to take your medicine. If that happens, just forget about the missed dose completely. Take the next dose (one capsule) at your regular time. Never take two capsules at once just because you missed a dose.

What if I take too much medicine?

If you have any suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

Other things that may interact with Rosuvastatin

Not all medications you take are compatible with each other. Some medications and foods may affect the way Rosuvastatin works.

One thing you should never take with this medication is red yeast rice. Some people use this as a cholesterol-lowering supplement. Taking both together increases the risk of side effects.

In addition, Rosuvastatin may interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antacids containing aluminum and magnesium
• Colchicine (a medicine for gout)
• Cyclosporine
• Some medications for diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis
• Some medications for cancer (e.g. regorafenib)
• Warfarin (a medicine used to prevent blood clotting)
• Some other medications given to lower cholesterol

Things to consider when taking medication

• Go to the clinic on time: Be sure to go on the day your doctor tells you to come back. That way, they can see how the medication is affecting you and what your cholesterol levels are like.
• Blood tests: While using this medication, your doctor will order blood tests from time to time to check your cholesterol levels and liver function. Do not skip them.
• Watch out for muscle pain: If your muscles ache for no reason, feel weak, or are painful when you touch them, tell your doctor right away. This could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect.
• Surgery: If you are scheduled to have any surgery or medical procedure, inform the doctor that you are taking Rosuvastatin.
• Blood sugar levels: This medication may slightly increase blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about this, especially if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes.
• Pregnancy and lactation: As we mentioned earlier, do not take this medication if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Breastfeeding mothers should also discuss this with their doctor and make changes to their treatment plan if necessary.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, Rosuvastatin can cause side effects. Although not everybody gets them, some are serious and some are mild.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.