Rosuvastatin

Description

Rosuvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA)-reductase inhibitor. The chemical name for rosuvastatin calcium, USP is bis[(E)-7-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2­[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2­[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid] calcium salt. The empirical formula for rosuvastatin calcium is (C22H27FN3O6S)2Ca, with a molecular weight of 1001.14.

Rosuvastatin calcium, USP appears as a white to almost white amorphous powder that is sparingly soluble in water and methanol, and slightly soluble in ethanol. It is a hydrophilic compound with a partition coefficient (octanol/water) of 1.4 at a pH of 7.0. Rosuvastatin tablets, USP for oral use are available in strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg, which correspond to 5.2 mg, 10.4 mg, 20.8 mg, and 41.6 mg of rosuvastatin calcium, USP, respectively. Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, red ferric oxide, triacetin, and titanium dioxide.

Uses and Indications

Rosuvastatin tablets are indicated for the reduction of the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events, including CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or arterial revascularization procedures, in adults without established coronary heart disease who are at increased risk of CV disease. This risk is determined by factors such as age, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels of ≥2 mg/L, and the presence of at least one additional CV risk factor.

Additionally, rosuvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the following purposes:

• To reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with primary hyperlipidemia.

• To reduce LDL-C and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in adults.

• To reduce LDL-C in adults and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

For patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), rosuvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to other LDL-C-lowering therapies, or as monotherapy if such treatments are unavailable, to reduce LDL-C in adults and pediatric patients aged 7 years and older.

Furthermore, rosuvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the treatment of adults with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia and hypertriglyceridemia.

Dosage and Administration

Rosuvastatin tablets are to be taken orally, with or without food, at any time of day.

For adults, the recommended dosage range is 5 mg to 40 mg once daily. It is advised to assess LDL-C levels when clinically appropriate, beginning as early as 4 weeks after initiating therapy, and to adjust the dosage if necessary based on the results.

In pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), the recommended dosage is as follows: for patients aged 8 to less than 10 years, the dosage range is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily; for patients aged 10 years and older, the dosage range is 5 mg to 20 mg once daily. For pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), the recommended dosage is 20 mg once daily for patients aged 7 years and older.

For Asian patients, treatment should be initiated at 5 mg once daily. If the condition is not adequately controlled, the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg once daily, considering the associated risks and benefits.

Patients with severe renal impairment who are not on hemodialysis should also initiate treatment at 5 mg once daily, with a maximum dosage not to exceed 10 mg once daily.

Healthcare professionals should refer to the full prescribing information for additional details regarding dosage and administration modifications due to potential drug interactions.

Contraindications

Use of this product is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis due to the potential for exacerbating liver dysfunction. Additionally, it is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity to rosuvastatin or any excipients present in rosuvastatin tablets, as this may lead to severe allergic reactions.

Warnings and Precautions

Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis pose significant risks associated with the use of rosuvastatin tablets. Patients aged 65 years or older, those with uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, and individuals taking certain concomitant medications are at an increased risk. Additionally, higher dosages of rosuvastatin tablets may elevate this risk. Asian patients may also be more susceptible to myopathy. It is imperative to discontinue rosuvastatin tablets if markedly elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels are detected or if myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. In cases where patients experience acute or serious conditions that heighten the risk of renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, a temporary discontinuation of rosuvastatin tablets is recommended. Healthcare professionals should inform patients about the potential risks of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when initiating or adjusting the dosage of rosuvastatin tablets. Patients should be instructed to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by malaise or fever.

Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM) has been rarely reported in association with statin use, including rosuvastatin tablets. If IMNM is suspected, it is crucial to discontinue the medication immediately.

Hepatic Dysfunction is another concern, as increases in serum transaminases have been observed, with some cases being persistent. There have been rare reports of both fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure. It is advisable to conduct liver enzyme tests prior to initiating therapy and to monitor these levels as clinically indicated thereafter. Should serious hepatic injury occur, characterized by clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice, rosuvastatin tablets should be promptly discontinued.

In summary, careful monitoring of muscle and liver function is essential when prescribing rosuvastatin tablets, and appropriate actions must be taken in response to any signs of myopathy, IMNM, or hepatic dysfunction.

Side Effects

Most patients receiving rosuvastatin tablets may experience common adverse reactions, including headache, nausea, myalgia, asthenia, and constipation. These reactions are generally mild to moderate in severity.

Serious adverse reactions associated with rosuvastatin include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Risk factors for these conditions include age 65 years or older, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other medications, and higher dosages of rosuvastatin. Asian patients may be at an increased risk for myopathy. It is recommended that rosuvastatin tablets be discontinued if markedly elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels are observed or if myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Additionally, in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition that places them at high risk for developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, temporary discontinuation of rosuvastatin tablets is advised. Patients should be informed of the risks of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when initiating or increasing the dosage of rosuvastatin tablets and should be instructed to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by malaise or fever.

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), a rare autoimmune myopathy, has also been reported in association with statin use. If IMNM is suspected, rosuvastatin tablets should be discontinued.

Hepatic dysfunction is another serious concern, with increases in serum transaminases reported, some of which may be persistent. Rare cases of both fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure have been documented. It is advisable to test liver enzymes before initiating therapy and as clinically indicated thereafter. Should serious hepatic injury occur, characterized by clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice, rosuvastatin tablets should be promptly discontinued.

Additional adverse reactions may include acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis, as well as hypersensitivity reactions to rosuvastatin or any excipients contained in the formulation.

Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of rosuvastatin tablets with other medications that may elevate the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis requires careful review. Healthcare professionals should assess the potential for increased risk and consider appropriate monitoring strategies.

When administering rosuvastatin tablets, it is recommended to do so at least 2 hours prior to the intake of Aluminum and Magnesium Hydroxide Combination Antacids to ensure optimal absorption and efficacy of the statin.

For patients concurrently taking rosuvastatin and Warfarin, it is essential to obtain an International Normalized Ratio (INR) prior to initiating rosuvastatin therapy. Frequent monitoring of INR is advised until it stabilizes, particularly during the initiation phase, any dose adjustments, or upon discontinuation of either medication. This monitoring is crucial to maintain therapeutic effectiveness and minimize the risk of adverse effects.

Packaging & NDC

The table below lists all NDC Code configurations of Rosuvastatin, the U.S. brand-name prescription product. Columns show Packaging, Formulation Type, and Active Ingredient Strength.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of rosuvastatin as an adjunct to diet for reducing LDL-C have been established in pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). This indication is supported by a 12-week controlled trial followed by a 40-week open-label extension involving 176 pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with HeFH, as well as a 2-year open-label, uncontrolled trial in 175 pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with HeFH.

In a 1-year trial with a 12-week controlled phase, rosuvastatin demonstrated no detectable impact on growth, weight, body mass index (BMI), or sexual maturation in patients aged 10 to 17 years. Additionally, the safety and effectiveness of rosuvastatin as an adjunct to other LDL-C-lowering therapies have been established in pediatric patients aged 7 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study involving 14 pediatric patients in this age group.

It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of rosuvastatin have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 8 years of age with HeFH, younger than 7 years of age with HoFH, or in pediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidemia beyond HeFH or HoFH.

Geriatric Use

In clinical studies involving rosuvastatin, 3,159 out of 10,275 patients (31%) were aged 65 years and older, with 698 patients (6.8%) being 75 years and older. No significant differences in safety or effectiveness were noted between these elderly patients and their younger counterparts.

However, advanced age (≥65 years) is recognized as a risk factor for the development of rosuvastatin-associated myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Therefore, when prescribing rosuvastatin to geriatric patients, careful consideration of dose selection is essential. It is important to acknowledge the increased likelihood of diminished hepatic, renal, or cardiac function in this population, as well as the potential for concomitant diseases or other drug therapies that may elevate the risk of adverse effects, particularly myopathy.

Healthcare providers should closely monitor elderly patients receiving rosuvastatin for signs of myopathy, given their heightened susceptibility. This vigilance is crucial to ensure patient safety and to mitigate the risk of serious complications associated with the medication.

Pregnancy

Discontinuation of rosuvastatin is recommended upon recognition of pregnancy, although consideration may be given to the ongoing therapeutic needs of the individual patient. Rosuvastatin functions by decreasing the synthesis of cholesterol and potentially other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol, which may pose a risk of fetal harm when administered to pregnant patients.

Generally, treatment of hyperlipidemia is not deemed necessary during pregnancy, as atherosclerosis is a chronic process. The discontinuation of lipid-lowering medications during pregnancy is unlikely to adversely affect the long-term outcomes of primary hyperlipidemia for most patients. Available data from case series and observational cohort studies over decades of statin use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major congenital malformations. However, published data specifically regarding rosuvastatin use in pregnant women are insufficient to ascertain a drug-associated risk of miscarriage.

In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed in pregnant rats or rabbits administered rosuvastatin during the organogenesis period at doses resulting in systemic exposures equivalent to the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 mg/day. Nonetheless, in female rats given higher doses (50 mg/kg/day), decreased fetal body weight and delayed ossification were noted, while decreased pup survival occurred at 50 mg/kg/day when administered from gestation day 7 through lactation day 21. Additionally, pregnant rabbits receiving 3 mg/kg/day of rosuvastatin from gestation day 6 to day 18 exhibited decreased fetal viability and maternal mortality.

Rosuvastatin is known to cross the placenta in both rats and rabbits, with fetal tissue and amniotic fluid concentrations reaching 3% and 20%, respectively, of maternal plasma concentration following a single oral dose. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the general U.S. population is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. A Medicaid cohort linkage study involving 1,152 statin-exposed pregnant women compared to 886,996 controls did not reveal a significant teratogenic effect from maternal statin use during the first trimester. The relative risk of congenital malformations in the statin-exposed group compared to the non-exposed group was calculated to be 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.37) after controlling for confounding factors. In most cases, statin treatment was initiated prior to pregnancy and was discontinued during the first trimester upon identification of pregnancy.

Lactation

Limited data from case reports in published literature indicate that rosuvastatin is present in human milk. There is no available information on the effects of rosuvastatin on the breastfed infant or its impact on milk production. Statins, including rosuvastatin, decrease cholesterol synthesis and may also affect the synthesis of other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol, which could potentially harm the breastfed infant.

Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant, it is advised that lactating mothers refrain from breastfeeding during treatment with rosuvastatin.

Renal Impairment

Patients with renal impairment are at an increased risk for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. It is recommended to temporarily discontinue rosuvastatin tablets in patients who are experiencing an acute or serious condition that places them at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis. Careful monitoring and consideration of renal function are essential in this patient population to mitigate potential adverse effects.

Hepatic Impairment

Patients with hepatic impairment may experience increases in serum transaminases, some of which may persist. There have been rare reports of both fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure associated with the use of rosuvastatin tablets.

It is recommended that liver enzyme testing be conducted prior to the initiation of therapy and as clinically indicated thereafter to monitor liver function. In the event of serious hepatic injury characterized by clinical symptoms, hyperbilirubinemia, or jaundice, rosuvastatin tablets should be promptly discontinued to mitigate potential risks associated with compromised liver function.

Overdosage

In cases of rosuvastatin overdosage, it is important to note that there are no specific antidotes available. Healthcare professionals should be aware that hemodialysis does not significantly enhance the clearance of rosuvastatin from the body.

In the event of an overdose, it is advisable to contact the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or consult a medical toxicologist for further guidance on management strategies. Prompt communication with poison control or a toxicology expert can provide additional recommendations tailored to the specific circumstances of the overdose.

Nonclinical Toxicology

In rat fertility studies involving oral gavage doses of 5 mg/kg/day, 15 mg/kg/day, and 50 mg/kg/day, males were treated for 9 weeks prior to and throughout mating, while females received treatment 2 weeks prior to mating and continued until gestation day 7. No adverse effects on fertility were observed at the highest dose of 50 mg/kg/day, which corresponds to systemic exposures up to 10 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC.

In dogs treated with rosuvastatin at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for one month, the presence of spermatidic giant cells was noted in the testicles. Similarly, in monkeys subjected to a 6-month treatment at the same dose, spermatidic giant cells were also observed, along with vacuolation of the seminiferous tubular epithelium. The systemic exposures in dogs were approximately 20 times, and in monkeys, 10 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on body surface area. These findings are consistent with observations made with other drugs in this class.

In a 104-week carcinogenicity study conducted in rats, doses of 2 mg/kg/day, 20 mg/kg/day, 60 mg/kg/day, and 80 mg/kg/day were administered via oral gavage. A significant increase in the incidence of uterine stromal polyps was observed in females at the highest dose of 80 mg/kg/day, which resulted in systemic exposure 20 times that of the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC. No increased incidence of polyps was noted at lower doses.

A separate 107-week carcinogenicity study in mice treated with 10 mg/kg/day, 60 mg/kg/day, or 200 mg/kg/day by oral gavage revealed an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenoma/carcinoma at the highest dose of 200 mg/kg/day, corresponding to systemic exposures 20 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC. No increased incidence of hepatocellular tumors was observed at lower doses.

Rosuvastatin was evaluated for mutagenicity and clastogenicity and was found to be non-mutagenic in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, as well as in the mouse lymphoma assay and the chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster lung cells. Additionally, rosuvastatin was negative in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test.

Postmarketing Experience

Postmarketing experience has documented cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of rosuvastatin. Additionally, there have been reports of liver enzyme elevations, with some cases suggesting possible liver failure. Furthermore, increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been observed in the postmarketing data.

Patient Counseling

Patients should be advised to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information) to understand the medication's uses and potential risks. It is important to inform patients that rosuvastatin may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, conditions that can lead to serious muscle damage. Patients should be encouraged to discuss all medications they are taking, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, with their healthcare provider, as the risk of these conditions may be increased when certain medications are used concurrently.

Healthcare providers should instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by malaise or fever. Additionally, patients should be informed that rosuvastatin may lead to elevations in liver enzymes and, in rare cases, liver failure. They should be advised to report any signs of liver issues, such as fatigue, anorexia, right upper abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or jaundice, without delay.

Patients should also be made aware that increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels may occur with the use of rosuvastatin. To support their overall health, patients are encouraged to optimize lifestyle measures, which include engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making nutritious food choices.

Storage and Handling

The product is supplied in various package configurations, with specific NDC numbers available upon request. It should be stored at a controlled room temperature of 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF). Temporary excursions are permissible between 15ºC and 30ºC (59°F and 86°F). It is essential to protect the product from moisture to maintain its integrity and efficacy.

Additional Clinical Information

No further data are available.

FDA Insert (PDF)

This document is the official FDA-approved prescribing information for Rosuvastatin as submitted by ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. It includes detailed information about indications, dosage, contraindications, warnings, and clinical pharmacology.

View full prescribing information (PDF)