Rosuvastatin is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for the following uses in certain adults:
- to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
- to treat type 3 hyperlipoproteinemia along with diet
- to lower high triglycerides along with diet
- to lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (fat proteins) in people with a family history of high cholesterol
- to slow the worsening of atherosclerosis along with diet
The drug may also be used to treat high cholesterol in certain children. For more information about rosuvastatin’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about rosuvastatin:
Read on to learn about rosuvastatin and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of rosuvastatin can vary. Factors that may affect the rosuvastatin price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of rosuvastatin will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers rosuvastatin. This means the company and your doctor will discuss rosuvastatin in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether rosuvastatin requires prior authorization.
The price of rosuvastatin may depend on the strength your doctor prescribes. The drug comes in the following strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. In some cases, the cost of this drug may increase if you’re prescribed higher strengths.
The actual price you pay for rosuvastatin can depend on several factors. These include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It also depends on the condition you’re using the drug to treat. This is because different strengths are used to treat different conditions.
To find out what you’ll pay for rosuvastatin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and rosuvastatin.
How does the cost of rosuvastatin compare with the cost of simvastatin?
Rosuvastatin and simvastatin are drugs used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The cost of rosuvastatin compared to simvastatin depends on certain factors. These include the drugs’ dosages, your treatment plan, and whether you have insurance coverage.
The cost of rosuvastatin may be higher than simvastatin if you don’t have insurance. However, the cost may be the same if you have insurance coverage. For example, if you have a set copay for generic drugs, you’ll likely pay the same for either drug.
Keep in mind that not all drugs are covered by all insurance plans. Your plan may only cover rosuvastatin or simvastatin. For more details about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can discuss the cost of the drugs based on your situation.
What’s the cost of rosuvastatin with insurance and without insurance?
The cost of rosuvastatin with insurance depends on your plan benefits. You may have to pay a fixed copay for each refill. Or you may have to pay a percentage of the drug’s cost, which may change over time.
Your cost with insurance may also depend on whether your plan has any prior authorization requirements you must meet. (For details about prior authorization, see the “Rosuvastatin price” section above.) It can also depend on your days’ supply of the medication, such as a 30-day or 90-day supply.
If you don’t have insurance, your cost for rosuvastatin may depend on your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use. You can check with a few pharmacies about the cost of rosuvastatin to get the best price.
If you have questions about the cost of rosuvastatin with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.
Rosuvastatin is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Rosuvastatin is available as the brand-name drug Crestor. If your doctor has prescribed rosuvastatin and you’re interested in taking Crestor instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of rosuvastatin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Keep in mind that you may hear rosuvastatin referred to by its full name: rosuvastatin calcium.
If you take rosuvastatin long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of rosuvastatin. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Rosuvastatin may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for rosuvastatin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and rosuvastatin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to rosuvastatin. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for rosuvastatin.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of rosuvastatin, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about your condition, 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.