Know Your Meds for Busy People Ep3. Rosuvastatin
now Your Meds for Busy People Episode 3. Rosuvastatin
In this post, I 🥼 will be discussing a drug called Rosuvastatin is a prescription medication used to treat high cholesterol and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Rosuvastatin, which is also known by its brand name Crestor, is a medication in the class of drugs known as statins. Statins work by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is responsible for producing cholesterol in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, statins can lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can help to prevent conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
The active ingredient in Rosuvastatin is, not surprisingly, rosuvastatin. This drug was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2003 and is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
Rosuvastatin is typically taken once daily, with or without food. A healthcare professional should choose the appropriate dosage of the medication based on the patient's cholesterol levels and medical history. In general, the starting dose of Rosuvastatin is 10 mg per day, but some individuals may require a higher or lower dose.
Like all medications, Rosuvastatin can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects of this drug include headaches, muscle aches and pains, and nausea. In rare cases, Rosuvastatin can also cause more serious side effects, such as liver damage and a rare condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is characterized by muscle breakdown and can cause kidney damage.
It's important to note that Rosuvastatin should not be used by pregnant women, as it can harm the developing fetus. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this medication, as it can pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant.
So, how exactly does Rosuvastatin work to lower cholesterol levels? When HMG-CoA reductase is blocked, the liver is unable to produce as much cholesterol. This causes the liver to remove LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, from the blood to make more cholesterol. As a result, the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood decreases, which can help to prevent heart disease and stroke.
In a humorous way, one could imagine Rosuvastatin as a tiny construction worker inside the liver, blocking off the cholesterol production line and forcing the liver to find alternative ways to make cholesterol.
Overall, Rosuvastatin can be an effective medication for those with high cholesterol levels. As with all medications, it's important to use Rosuvastatin as directed and to discuss any concerns or questions with a healthcare provider.
Sources
FDA Approved Labeling Information for Crestor: https://lnkd.in/gz-d_BNj
MedlinePlus: https://lnkd.in/gm6UH8eP
WebMD: https://lnkd.in/g87Pac64
#KnowYourMeds #LisaPharmacist
#KnowYourMeds #LisaPharmacist #medicine
Lisa Chua is a registered pharmacist for 20 years. You may reach out to her via lmchua35@gmail.com. Visit her Youtube Channel for the videos for the "Know Your Meds for Busy People".
