What are the side effects of Crestor?

Hello Linda hargrow,

Crestor, or rosuvastatin in the generic, is a member of the family of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors which are prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol.

Side effects of this drug include muscle aches, joint aches, headaches.  Some people have reported the flu like side-effects, rashes, and back pain.  The drug can also cause a transient elevation in liver enzymes.  Rarely, the drug can cause a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. 

Because of the these side effects, your doctor should monitor your liver enzymes while taking the drugs.  Once before you start as a baseline, one sixs weeks after you start taking the drug, and then yearly afterwards.  If you have muscle aches, or other side effects listed you should contact your doctor immediately, as your physician will want to lab work and consider switching your medication.  Interestingly, if one of the medications in the statin class of drugs causes side effects, it is unlikely you will have the same reaction to different drug in the class.

To your health,

Neil MD