Drug Interactions with Crestor

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Drug Interactions with Crestor

Question:

What medications, prescription and over-the-counter, especially vitamin B2, interact with Crestor (rosuvastatin)?

Answer:

Crestor is one of the statin drugs prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol.

There are no reported significant drug interactions with standard doses of vitamins and minerals.

Regarding over-the-counter products, antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum will decrease absorption of Crestor if both are taken at the same time. It is best to wait two hours after taking an antacid before taking Crestor.

The prescription medications that have major interactions with Crestor include:

• Warfarin (Coumadin). Warfarin is an anti-clotting medicine. Taking Crestor can increase the risk of bleeding. The warfarin dose usually needs to be decreased if Crestor is prescribed.

• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Cyclosporine suppresses the immune system and is used to prevent rejection in patients who have had organ transplantation and in the treatment of diseases caused by an overactive immune system. Crestor should not be used or used only in very low doses in people taking cyclosporine because of the high risk of muscle damage.

• Niacin, gemfibrozil and fenofibrate. These drugs also treat abnormal blood lipid levels. When combined with Crestor or other statins, the risk of muscle pain and weakness increases.

• Protease inhibitors, especially Lopinavir/Ritonavir. These drugs are used to treat HIV infection. They can increase the blood levels if taken with Crestor. In general, the dose should not exceed 10 milligrams per day or a different statin should be used.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009