Rosuvastatin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 3, 2024.

Applies to rosuvastatin: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have a major surgery, major injury, or if you develop other serious health problems.

Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have unusual tiredness or a fever. These may be symptoms of serious muscle problems, such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Call your doctor right away if you have dark urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Do not stop or change your dose without checking first with your doctor, even if you are feeling well.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of rosuvastatin

Along with its needed effects, rosuvastatin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rosuvastatin:

Other side effects of rosuvastatin

Some side effects of rosuvastatin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rosuvastatin: oral capsule, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects included headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, asthenia, and nausea.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (up to 12.7%), arthralgia (10.1%)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, myositis
• Frequency not reported: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, tendon disorders, creatine phosphokinase increased^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, constipation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Diarrhea^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Polyneuropathy, memory loss
• Postmarketing reports: Cognitive impairment, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, peripheral neuropathy^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatic transaminases/enzymes increased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Jaundice, hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Bilirubin increased
• Postmarketing reports: Fatal hepatic failure, nonfatal hepatic failure^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, pruritus, urticaria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Stevens-Johnson syndrome^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hematuria
• Frequency not reported: Proteinuria, myoglobinuria, sexual dysfunction^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia
• Frequency not reported: Edema, glutamyl transpeptidase increased, alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Cough, dyspnea, interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Confusion, depression, insomnia, nightmares, sleep disorders/disturbances^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gynecomastia
• Frequency not reported: Thyroid function abnormalities^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Diabetes mellitus
• Frequency not reported: Glucose elevated, HbA1c increased^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Rosuvastatin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer