What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver and is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer. The desirable levels of Cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, borderline high value is 200 to 239 mg/dL and a high value is 240 mg/dL and above.
Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Cholesterol can build up in the artery wall, restricting the flow of blood to your heart, brain and the rest of your body. High cholesterol levels can cause:
1)Atherosclerosis which means narrowing of the arteries
2)Higher coronary heart disease risk - an abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
3)Heart attack occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart muscle to die.
4)Angina (chest pain or discomfort) occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood.
5)Other cardiovascular conditions - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
6)Stroke and mini-stroke
It also increases the chance of a blood clot
Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin Calcium) – Product Information
Crestor Tablets manufactured by Astra Zeneca is a medicine used in combination with exercise, diet, and weight-loss to treat high cholesterol and related conditions. Crestor is used when the the response to diet and exercise is not adequate.
It is also indicated for risk reduction of MI, stroke, and arterial revascularization procedures in patients without clinically evident CHD, but with multiple risk factors.
Crestor belongs to a group of medicines known as 'statins'. It lowers the "bad" cholesterol, and raises the "good" cholesterol when exercise and changes to diet are not enough on their own. It also lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The active ingredient present in Crestor Tablets is Rosuvastatin Calcium.
Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin calcium) - Contraindications
Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin calcium) is contraindicated in patients with
- Hypersensitivity to Rosuvastatin calcium or any component of this product.
- Pregnancy
- Active liver disease or persistent, unexplained elevations in transaminases.
- During pregnancy, while breast-feeding and in women of child-bearing potential not using appropriate contraceptive measures.
- Pre-disposing factors for myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.Such factors include:
- hypothyroidism
- personal or family history of hereditary muscular disorders
- previous history of muscular toxicity with another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or fibrate
- alcohol abuse
- situations where an increase in rosuvastatin plasma levels may occur
- severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min)
- Asian patients
- concomitant use of fibrates
Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin calcium) - Dosage
Crestor Tablets may be given at any time of the day, with or without food.The recommended adult Oral dosage of various indications is given below:
Prevention Of Major Cardiovascular Events:
A dose of 20 mg once daily has been found to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.
Hypercholesterolaemia:
The usual dose range is 10 - 40 mg orally once a day. The dosage of Crestor should be individualised according to the goal of therapy and patient response. The majority of patients are controlled at the start dose.
Primary hypercholesterolaemia, mixed dyslipidaemia and isolated hypertriglyceridaemia:
The usual start dose is 10 mg once a day. For patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia, a start dose of 20 mg may be considered.
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia:
For patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia a start dose of 20 mg once a day is recommended.
Dosage In Patients With Renal Insufficiency
The usual dose range applies in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.For patients with severe renal impairment the dose of Crestor should not exceed 10 mg once daily.
Race
A 5 mg starting dose of Crestor should be considered for Asian patients.
Side Effects of Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin Calcium)
Crestor (Rosuvastatin calcium) is generally well tolerated. The side effects seen with Crestor are generally mild and transient. In controlled clinical trials, less than 4% of CRESTOR
treated patients were withdrawn due to adverse events. This withdrawal rate was comparable to that reported in patients receiving placebo.
Inform your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects and they worry you Headache, myalgia, asthenia, stiff or painful joints (arthralgia), constipation, dizziness, nausea(feeling sick), unusual tiredness, memory loss, skin rash, itching or hives, stomach pain.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital in case you notice any of the following serious side effects:
muscle pain, aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise, particularly if you also have a fever or generally feel unwell,swelling of the face, eyelids and lips.
You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects of Crestor Tablets are rare.
Crestor Tablets (Rosuvastatin calcium) - More Details
For more details please read the Prescription Information or watch the presentation below:
