Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) is a prescription medication indicated to help decrease cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol levels that cannot be controlled by diet or exercise alterations. This medication is part of a class of drugs called statins, and works by inhibiting an enzyme–called HMG-CoA reductase–responsible for cholesterol production within the human body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about Crestor medication side effects before beginning treatment.
Stomach Upset
While receiving treatment with Crestor, you can experience stomach upset symptoms as a side effect. Nausea is the most frequently reported stomach-related side effect reported by patients using Crestor, explains Drugs, an informational peer-reviewed consumer drug website. Certain patients can also experience constipation, which may contribute to sensations of pain, cramping or bloating within the abdomen. Additional side effects can include indigestion and sore throat. You can limit the occurrence of these side effects by taking your daily dose of Crestor with a small snack or meal. Contact your doctor if stomach upset side effects become worse with continued use of this medication.
Muscle Aches or Weakness
During clinical trials for this medication, approximately 3 percent of patients experienced muscle aches (myalgia) or body weakness (asthenia) as side effects of Crestor, report health officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These side effects can be uncomfortable and may negatively affect your ability to move about normally or participate in your usual physical activities. Body aches and weakness can also contribute to increased fatigue or tiredness during the day. Talk with your doctor if these side effects persist or occur in conjunction with fever, sweating or chills.
Headache
According to Drugs.com, you can develop a headache as a side effect of taking Crestor. Painful headache symptoms are generally mild, but may reoccur with continued use of this medication. Headache pain can develop within any region of your head and can contribute to difficulty concentrating or focusing while at work or school. Use of an over-the-counter analgesic medication can help alleviate headache side effects in some Crestor patients.
About this Author
Rachel R. Ahmed, M.S., is a freelance writer and editor based in San Diego. Ahmed received her M.S. degree in integrated biomedical sciences and has been working as a freelance writer and editor for more than five years. Some of her freelance clients include The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, alzforum.org, MedAngel.org, L3 Communications, and ThinkTank Learning.
