What it is used for

High cholesterol, including inherited high cholesterol
Preventing heart attacks and strokes in people at higher risk

Read our guides:

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

Rosuvastatin is not commonly used off-label.

How it works

Rosuvastatin blocks HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol. The liver then removes more LDL ("bad") cholesterol from your blood.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Rosuvastatin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

headache
muscle aches
stomach pain
feeling sick
constipation
feeling weak

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with a high temperature or dark pee
yellowing of the skin or eyes
blood in your pee

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

People of Chinese or Japanese heritage usually start on a lower dose.
Indigestion remedies can reduce how well it is absorbed. Take them at least 2 hours apart.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.