Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, or do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, this medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses and take the medicine at the same time each day.

In addition to this medicine, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Carefully follow your doctor's orders about any special diet.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

To use the capsule:

  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew it. If you have trouble swallowing, you may open it and mix the contents with 1 teaspoon of soft food (eg, applesauce, or chocolate or vanilla pudding). Take this mixture within 1 hour, without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Throw away any unused mixture.
  • You may also take the capsule using a nasogastric tube. To use:
    • Open the capsule and empty the contents into a 60-milliliter (mL) catheter syringe. Add 40 mL of water. Do not use any other liquid.
    • Replace the plunger and shake the syringe for 15 seconds. The granules may start dissolving.
    • Attach the syringe to a nasogastric tube and deliver the contents into the stomach.
    • Flush the tube with an additional 20 mL of water to get all of the medicine.
    • Throw away any unused mixture.

If you need to take an antacid that contains aluminum and magnesium (eg, Maalox®), take the antacid at least 2 hours after using rosuvastatin.

Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while using rosuvastatin. This could cause side effects on the liver.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (capsules or tablets):
    • For atherosclerosis:
      • Adults—5 to 40 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia:
      • Adults—5 to 40 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children 10 to 17 years of age—5 to 20 mg per day.
      • Children 8 to 9 years of age—5 to 10 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 8 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children 7 to 17 years of age—20 mg once a day.
      • Children younger than 7 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

However, do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours of each other.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.