Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of high cholesterol. Crestor comes as an oral tablet. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used for.
Crestor belongs to a drug class called statins. Crestor is available in a generic version. It’s approved for the following uses in certain adults:
- managing high cholesterol and hyperlipidemia
- lowering cholesterol levels and slowing the progression of atherosclerosis
- treating a type of primary hyperlipoproteinemia called dysbetalipoproteinemia
- treating high triglyceride levels
- helping prevent cardiovascular disease in certain people with a higher risk of coronary heart disease
- lowering cholesterol levels for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
- lowering cholesterol levels for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
Crestor is approved for the following uses in children:
- lowering cholesterol levels in children ages 7 years and older with HoFH
- lowering cholesterol levels in children ages 8 years and older with HeFH
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Crestor, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Crestor, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Crestor provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Crestor, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is a summary of the form, strengths, and typical dosages of Crestor. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Crestor form
Crestor comes as an oral tablet.
Crestor strengths
Crestor is available in four strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. The prescribing information reports a dosage range instead of one specific dose. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for high cholesterol
Crestor is prescribed to treat high cholesterol in certain adults. As with most conditions Crestor is prescribed to treat, the typical dosage range is 5–40 mg. You’ll take it once per day.
Your specific dosage may depend on several factors. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that is best for you.
Dosage for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease
Crestor is prescribed to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events in certain adults. Cardiovascular events include stroke, heart attack, and surgery to fix a blocked artery. As with most conditions Crestor is prescribed to treat, the typical dosage range is 5–40 mg. You’ll take it once per day.
Your specific dosage may depend on several factors. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that is best for you.
Children’s dosage
These are typical dosages recommended by the drug’s manufacturer. For details about your child’s specific dosage, talk with their doctor or pharmacist. The doctor will prescribe the dosage that best meets your child’s needs.
Dosage for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Crestor is prescribed to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in children ages 8 years and older. The drug’s manufacturer recommends a dosage range instead of one specific dosage.
For children ages 8–9 years, the typical Crestor dosage 5–10 mg once per day.
For children ages 10 years and older, the typical Crestor dosage is 5–20 mg once per day.
Dosage for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Crestor is prescribed for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in children ages 7 years and older. For this condition, the typical dosage of Crestor is 20 mg once per day.
Long-term treatment
Crestor is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Crestor is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Crestor dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Crestor to treat
- your age
- your current cholesterol levels
- other medications you take
- your risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- how your body responds to the drug
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Crestor dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dosage of Crestor or adjust your dosage if you:
- have Asian heritage
- have reduced kidney function
- take certain medications, including:
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
- Uloric (febuxostat)
- Lopid (gemfibrozil)
- Nubeqa (darolutamide)
- Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir)
Talk with your doctor about the dosage of Crestor that is safest for you.
Crestor is an oral tablet that you’ll take once per day. You can take it at any time of the day. However, it may be helpful to take Crestor around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so it can work effectively.
You can take Crestor with or without food. However, it’s important to note that you should swallow this drug whole. Do not crush, split, or chew your tablet.
Avoid taking Crestor at the same time as certain antacids containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide. Take Crestor at least 2 hours before you take an antacid. Talk with your doctor about how to avoid drug interactions with Crestor.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
For more information about taking Crestor, talk with your doctor.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Crestor in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss your Crestor dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose of Crestor to make up for a missed one. Taking a double dose could increase your risk of side effects or make them more severe. To learn more about Crestor’s side effects, see this article.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Crestor than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose. For more information on Crestor’s side effects, see this article.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Crestor
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Crestor. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about Crestor.
When is the best time of day to take my Crestor dose?
You can take Crestor at any time of day. However, it can help to take it at the same time each day. This can help maintain a steady level of the drug in your system.
Additionally, if you take an antacid, talk with your doctor. They may recommend taking your Crestor dose at least 2 hours before you take your antacid.
For more information about the best time to take Crestor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What is the lowest effective dose of Crestor?
It depends. Your Crestor dosage depends on several factors, including your age, cholesterol levels, and kidney function. It can also depend on any other medications you take.
Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of Crestor that’s effective for your condition.
If you have questions about your specific dose of Crestor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Crestor for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Crestor without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Crestor that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Crestor. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Crestor. For information about other aspects of Crestor, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Crestor, see this article. You can also look at the Crestor prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. To learn how Crestor compares with Lipitor, read this article.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Crestor and cost, see this article.
- A look at high cholesterol. For details about high cholesterol, see our cholesterol hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
