FAQs
Whether this is your first prescription for CRESTOR®
(rosuvastatin calcium) or you’ve been taking it for a while, you probably have some
questions. Take a look at a few common questions below to see if we can provide
an answer.
Please remember that your doctor and pharmacist are the best sources of information
on how cholesterol and plaque buildup relate to your specific situation.
Simply click on an option below to display a list of questions relating to
that topic.
Q. Where does cholesterol come from?
A. Cholesterol is produced by the liver. It's also found in foods high in
, like fatty meats, egg yolks, shellfish, and whole-milk dairy products.
Q. What makes cholesterol good or bad for your health?
A. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream packaged inside a protein
called a lipoprotein. There are two kinds of lipoproteins that are important when
discussing cholesterol—
and
. LDL cholesterol is considered "bad" because too much of it in your bloodstream
can contribute to
in your
over time, also known as
. HDL cholesterol is considered "good" because it helps return cholesterol to the
liver, where it can be eliminated.
Q. How does LDL cholesterol contribute to health problems?
A. If you have too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream,
it can contribute to plaque buildup in your
over time. For many people, this buildup starts in early adulthood and gets worse
over time.
Q. How does my medical history impact the importance of managing my cholesterol?
A. Ask your doctor to be sure. If your doctor has told you that lowering your cholesterol is especially important for you, it could be because, in addition to high cholesterol, you have one or more additional factors that can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries such as diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, age, obesity, and smoking.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about your personal medical history and how it affects your cholesterol.
Get a checklist to take to your doctor
Q. How do I find out what my cholesterol numbers mean?
A. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) publishes general cholesterol
guidelines, but based on your individual situation, your doctor may recommend something
more specific. Take a look at the general
NCEP guidelines for cholesterol and then talk to your doctor about your
specific goals.
Q. How can I lower my cholesterol?
A. Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a diet that is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and getting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, may help lower cholesterol. When diet and exercise alone aren't enough, your doctor may add a cholesterol-lowering medicine.
Learn more about living a healthy lifestyle
Q. What is Plaque Buildup?
A.
in the
over time is a progressive disease called
.
One major cause is a high level of
. Other common risk factors, such as , , family history of early heart disease, age, obesity, or smoking, also play an important role. This plaque
starts building up in our
in early adulthood and gets worse over time, making cholesterol management important.
Q. Do I have other factors that increase the risk for plaque buildup over time?
A. You may know that high cholesterol plays a role in plaque buildup. However,
other factors may increase your risk for it even more. Diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, age, obesity, or smoking,
can also play a role. The good news is that you can manage some of these risk factors,
such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and
high cholesterol. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the risk factors you
may have. Get a checklist.
Q. What are some common lifestyle changes that can help in managing risk
factors?
A. Most doctors agree that living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy,
low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and getting regular exercise, is one of the most important
things you can do. If you smoke, you should try to quit immediately. Last but not
least, every plan should start by talking with your doctor.
Learn more about living a healthy lifestyle.
Q. Can you tell me more about bruits, the ankle/brachial index, and how they are
used to indicate plaque buildup over time?
A. One way your doctor can look for signs of plaque buildup is by placing
a stethoscope on your neck, abdomen, or leg to listen to your arteries during a
physical exam. Your doctor is listening for
(pronounced brew-ees), which are faint whooshing noises caused by the turbulence
of blood rushing through restricted arteries.
Another way your doctor can check for signs of plaque buildup involves taking your
blood pressure at the ankle and arm. This technique is called the
.
Q. Can CRESTOR help slow the progression of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)?
A. When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough, adding CRESTOR can help. CRESTOR,
the same medicine that, along with diet, lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol up to 52%
(at the 10-mg dose versus 7% with placebo), has been proven to slow the progression
of atherosclerosis, as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol to goal.
Ask your doctor if CRESTOR
is right for you.
Q. Why did my doctor prescribe CRESTOR?
A. CRESTOR is prescribed for patients who need to manage high cholesterol
and who have not had success managing it through
diet and exercise alone. It can also help slow
in
, known as atherosclerosis, in adults with high cholesterol as part of a treatment
plan to lower cholesterol to goal.
Q. How will I know if CRESTOR is working?
A. The only way to know whether CRESTOR is working is to have a follow-up
, also known as a cholesterol test. Ask your doctor about when you should be
retested.
Q. How soon should I expect results with CRESTOR?
A. You may see results for lowering your bad cholesterol as soon as 2-4 weeks after starting CRESTOR.
People can have different responses to the same medicine, so your results
may vary. Ask your doctor how soon you should return for a follow-up fasting lipid
profile. Do not stop taking CRESTOR unless your doctor tells you to, or if you become
pregnant. If you do become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, talk to
your doctor immediately.
Q. What are the most common side effects for CRESTOR?
A. CRESTOR can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects may include headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, weakness, and nausea.
Learn more about Side Effects for CRESTOR
Q. Is CRESTOR a substitute for a healthy diet and a regular exercise plan?
A. No. CRESTOR is prescribed when diet and exercise alone aren't enough to lower cholesterol. When taking CRESTOR, you should continue eating well and exercising. Follow a diet that's low in saturated fats and cholesterol and work on getting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.
Learn
more about living a healthy lifestyle
Q. Do I still need to take CRESTOR when I reach my cholesterol goal?
A. Certain people may need to manage their cholesterol closely because of
their medical history or other health concerns, and they need to take medications
like CRESTOR as long as their doctor prescribes it to keep their cholesterol in
check. It’s important to discuss your medical history and other health issues with
your doctor, so that he or she can recommend the most appropriate treatment for
you. Get a checklist
As with all prescription medications, it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice.
Do not stop taking CRESTOR unless your doctor tells you to, or if you become pregnant.
If you do become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor
immediately.
Q. What should I do if I accidentally miss a dose of CRESTOR?
A. If you miss a dose of CRESTOR, take it as soon as you remember. However,
do not take two doses of CRESTOR within 12 hours of each other.