Before you use Crestor
When you must not use this medicine
Do not use Crestor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Ask your doctor about effective methods of contraception.
If you become pregnant, stop taking Crestor as soon as you fi nd out and see your doctor immediately. Do not use Crestor if you are breastfeeding. We do not know if your baby can take in Crestor from breast milk if you are breast feeding.
Do not use Crestor 40 mg if you have:
- » Low thyroid hormone levels
- » A personal or family history of hereditary muscular disorders
- » A previous history of muscular problems from using other lipid-lowering agents
- » A history of very heavy alcohol use
- » Asian heritage
- » Been prescribed another class of lipid lowering agent called a fibrate
- » Severe kidney impairment
Do not use Crestor after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.
Do not use Crestor if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use Crestor to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
You must tell your doctor if:
1. you have any allergies to
- » Any other statins such as simvastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin.
- » Any other ingredients listed at the end of this page.
- » If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever, difficulty in breathing or feel faint.
2. you have any of these medical conditions
- » Liver problems
- » Kidney problems
It may not be safe for you to take Crestor if you have any of these conditions. Your doctor may do a blood test to check if you have any problems, and may adjust the dose of Crestor
3. You have any unexplained aches or pains in your muscles or have a history of muscle pain.
4. You regularly drink large amounts of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption may not be safe in patients taking Crestor.
Taking other medicines
You must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including:
- » cyclosporin (used for example, after organ transplant).
- » arfarin (or any other medicine used to stop blood clots).
- » gemfi brozil (used to lower blood lipids).
- » lopinavir / ritonavir (used to treat HIV infection).
- » antacids (medicines used to treat heartburn and indigestion). Crestor can be taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking an antacid.
- » medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop, including herbal medicines.
Your doctor will consider if Crestor should be used together with any of these medicines, or may wish to adjust the dose of Crestor or the other medicines. These medicines may affect the way Crestor works. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you take any Crestor.
Effects on driving and using machinery
Be careful driving a car or operating machinery until you know if Crestor affects you.
Crestor generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, Crestor may cause dizziness in some people.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Crestor.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of these side effects
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- » Headache
- » Constipation
- » Dizziness
- » Nausea (feeling sick)
- » Stomach pain
- » Unusual tiredness
- » Skin rash, itching or hives
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- » 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.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Serious side effects are rare.
Important: This site alerts you to some of the situations when you should call your doctor. Other situations, which cannot be predicted, may arise. Nothing in this site should stop you from calling your doctor or pharmacist with any questions or concerns you have about using Crestor.