Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a prescription drug that’s used to manage high cholesterol levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.
Crestor is used together with diet or other treatments to lower certain lipids (fats) in the blood in adults and some children.* Conditions it’s used for include:
- familial hypercholesterolemia
- familial hyperlipidemia
- hypertriglyceridemia
- type 3 primary hyperlipoproteinemia
- atherosclerosis
Crestor is also used to lower the risk of certain cardiovascular (heart or blood vessel) problems, including the risk of heart attack and stroke. Crestor can also decrease the need for certain blood vessel procedures in the future.
Crestor belongs to a group of drugs called statins. Its active ingredient is rosuvastatin. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Crestor comes as a tablet that you swallow.
This article describes the dosages of Crestor, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Crestor, see this in-depth article.
* Crestor is prescribed for adults and some children with familial hypercholesterolemia. It’s prescribed for adults only for the other conditions listed.
The table below highlights the basics of Crestor’s dosage for adults. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Typical starting dosage | Dosage range | Maximum dosage |
| 10–20 mg once per day | 5–40 mg once per day | 40 mg per day |
What is Crestor’s form?
Crestor comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strengths does Crestor come in?
Crestor is available in the following strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40mg.
What are the usual dosages of Crestor?
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for high cholesterol
Crestor is commonly prescribed to lower certain lipids (fats) in the blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
The typical starting dosage of Crestor for treating high levels of LDL cholesterol is 10–20 mg. This dose is taken once per day. After 4–12 weeks of treatment, your doctor will repeat a lipid panel to check your LDL cholesterol level. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your lab results. Typical dosages for Crestor are 5–40 mg per day. The maximum recommended dosage is 40 mg per day.
Dosage for lowering the risk of heart and blood vessel problems
If you have certain risk factors for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, your doctor may recommend Crestor as a preventive treatment. Examples of risk factors are diabetes and high blood pressure.
Your doctor will check your lipid panel before starting your treatment with Crestor. This allows your doctor to see how the medication affects these levels during your treatment. You’ll likely have these tests repeated after 4–12 weeks.
Your dosage will depend on individual factors such as your cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk factors. For example, if your cholesterol levels are within the normal range, you may be started on a lower dose. Typical Crestor dosages range from 5–40 mg per day. The maximum recommended dosage is 40 mg per day.
What’s the dosage of Crestor for children?
Crestor is used in some children to treat familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). There are two types of FH:
Crestor dosages vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the age of the child. The table below highlights these dosages.
| Condition, age of child | Dosage range | Maximum dosage |
| HeFH, 8 years to less than 10 years | 5–10 mg once per day | 10 mg per day |
| HeFH, 10 years+ | 5–20 mg once per day | 20 mg per day |
| HoFH, 7 years+ | 20 mg once per day | 20 mg per day |
Your child’s doctor will order a blood test called a lipid panel to monitor how well the drug is working. The dose of Crestor may be adjusted depending on these lab results.
Is Crestor used long term?
Yes, Crestor is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your Crestor dosage if any of the following factors apply to you.
- If you’re of Asian descent. Crestor is broken down more slowly in people of Asian descent. At higher doses, the drug can build up and increase the risk of side effects. For this reason, if you’re of Asian descent, your doctor will prescribe a lower dosage of Crestor. Your doctor will likely keep your dosage between 5–20 mg of Crestor per day.
- If you have kidney problems. If you have severe kidney disease and aren’t on dialysis, your doctor will likely decrease your Crestor dosage. You may start by taking 5 mg of Crestor once per day. If needed, your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum recommended dosage of 10 mg per day.
- If you have liver problems. Your doctor won’t prescribe Crestor if you have severe liver disease. If you have mild to moderate liver problems, including alcohol-related fatty liver disease, your doctor will monitor you more closely for side effects from Crestor. They’ll adjust your dosage if needed to lower the risk of side effects.
- If you’re taking certain other medications. Some medications interfere with how your body breaks down Crestor. This can cause Crestor to build up in your body and increase the risk of side effects. If you’re taking one of these medications, your doctor may lower your Crestor dosage. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all your medications.
- If you’re aged 65 years or older. Older adults may need dosage adjustments to lower the risk of statin-induced muscle damage. This is especially true if any of the above factors apply to you.
If you have any questions about whether your dosage of Crestor should be adjusted, talk with your doctor.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Crestor’s dosage.
When is the best time to take Crestor?
You don’t need to take Crestor at a certain time of day. But taking it at around the same time every day helps keep constant levels of Crestor in your blood. Constant levels can help the drug to work most effectively.
Sometimes you may need to consider whether any of your medications could interact with Crestor if you take them together. For example, certain antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium should not be taken within 2 hours of taking Crestor.
Finally, if you experience any side effects, you might find it more comfortable to take Crestor at a certain time of day. For example, if you experience mild dizziness, you might not notice it as much if you take Crestor right before you go to bed.
What is the lowest effective dose of Crestor?
The lowest effective dose of Crestor will be the lowest dose that achieves your treatment goal.
For example, you and your doctor may decide that your treatment goal is to lower your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level to below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The lowest dose of Crestor that achieves this goal is the lowest effective dose.
The recommended dosage range for Crestor is 5–40 mg per day. The lowest effective dose for you could depend on:
- the severity of your condition
- other medications you take
- your treatment goal
- your individual response to the medication
Your doctor will adjust your dosage as needed to achieve the treatment goal. They’ll prescribe the lowest effective dose that provides the desired result.
The dosage of Crestor you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of your condition
- your age*
- whether you’re of Asian descent*
- other conditions you have*
- other medication you take*
* See “Dosage Adjustments” above for more details.
Crestor comes as a tablet that you swallow. Do not crush, chew, or split Crestor tablets. If you have trouble swallowing pills, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
You can take Crestor with or without food. Try to take it around the same time each day so drug levels can stay constant in your body. This helps the drug to work effectively.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Crestor, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Crestor in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose of Crestor, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses of Crestor at once. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Crestor on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Crestor than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Crestor
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Crestor. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Crestor for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Crestor without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Crestor exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will I need a lower dosage of Crestor if I’m taking a fiber supplement with Crestor?
- Does my dosage affect my cost of Crestor?
- If I’m on the highest dose of Crestor, can I still take the drug long term?
To learn more about Crestor, see these articles:
- Crestor (rosuvastatin)
- Side Effects of Crestor: What You Need to Know
- Lipitor vs. Crestor: What You Should Know
- Crestor and Cost: What You Need to Know
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
