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Cholesterol & Atherosclerosis –
the Artery Connection

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The following is a Sponsored Resource. The sponsor of this content has sole editorial control.
Is CRESTOR Right for You?

Is CRESTOR Right for You?

CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium), along with diet, can help manage cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in your arteries over time. But it may not be right for everyone. Review the lists below to see some of the reasons why CRESTOR may or may not be a good fit for some people, and then make an appointment with your doctor to find out if CRESTOR is right for you.

Do not take CRESTOR if you

  • Have previously had an allergic reaction to CRESTOR
  • Currently have liver disease or liver problems
  • Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. CRESTOR may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking CRESTOR, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor right away
  • Are breast-feeding. CRESTOR can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby

As with other statin medicines, there is a chance of having a drug interaction while taking CRESTOR if you are also taking other medicines. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications, including

  • Cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), a medicine with multiple uses, including use after organ transplants or for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis
  • A blood thinner called warfarin (Coumadin®)
  • A protease inhibitor used to treat HIV-1 infection called lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra®)
  • Certain types of other medicines that lower cholesterol, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid®), fenofibrate (Tricor®), and niacin (Niaspan®, Niacor®)
  • Antacids containing aluminum and magnesium HCl, such as Mylanta®
  • Birth control pills

While you are taking CRESTOR, don't start taking any of these medicines without checking with your doctor first. If you aren't sure if you're taking any of these medicines, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Sandimmune® and Neoral® are registered trademarks of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Coumadin® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Lopid® is a registered trademark of Pfizer. Tricor®, Niaspan®, and Kaletra ® are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories. Niacor® is a registered trademark of Upsher-Smith. Mylanta® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson and Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co.

Print a voucher and ask your doctor if a free
15-day trial of CRESTOR 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg is right for you.

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The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional about how to manage and treat your cholesterol. If you have any questions about your cholesterol or how it may be contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis, or if you would like more information about CRESTOR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your doctor can decide if CRESTOR is right for you.

Important safety information about CRESTOR
In adults, CRESTOR is prescribed along with diet for lowering high cholesterol. CRESTOR is also prescribed along with diet to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (the build up of plaque in arteries) as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol to goal. CRESTOR has not been determined to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes.

CRESTOR is not right for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to CRESTOR, anyone with liver problems, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant. Your doctor will do blood tests before and during treatment with CRESTOR to monitor your liver function. Unexplained muscle pain and weakness could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect and should be reported to your doctor right away. The 40 mg dose of CRESTOR is only for patients who do not reach goal on 20 mg. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medications. Side effects occur infrequently and include headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, weakness, and nausea.

Please see full Prescribing Information for CRESTOR.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CRESTOR was licensed by AstraZeneca from Shionogi & Co LTD, Osaka, Japan.

CRESTOR is a registered trademark and CRESTOR 360° is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.

©2008 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. All rights reserved. 260827 5/08

WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

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