Rosuvastatin
Common brand names:
CrestorRosuvastatin is used along with dietary changes to reduce total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, and to increase HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. It belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
-
Negative Interactions
4-
Potential Negative Interaction
Rosuvastatin
Antioxidants
In one study, daily supplementation with a combination of antioxidants (800 IU of vitamin E, 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 25 mg of beta-carotene, and 100 mcg of selenium) blocked the beneficial effect of simvastatin-plus-niacin on HDL cholesterol levels. Although there is evidence that some or all of these nutrients may help prevent heart disease, individuals taking simvastatin (or other statin drugs) who wish to take antioxidants should discuss the use of these supplements with their doctor.AntioxidantsRosuvastatin- Cheung MC, Zhao XQ, Chait A, et al. Antioxidant supplements block the response of HDL to simvastatin-niacin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001;21:1320-6.
-
Potential Negative Interaction
Rosuvastatin
Pomegranate
In a case report, a man taking rosuvastatin developed severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis), a known side effect of rosuvastatin, after he began drinking pomegranate juice (about 6 ounces twice a week). While a cause–effect relationship was not proven, the authors of this report suggested that pomegranate may have increased the toxicity of rosuvastatin by slowing the rate at which the body broke it down.
PomegranateRosuvastatin- Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705-6.
-
Potential Negative Interaction
Rosuvastatin
Red Yeast Rice
A supplement containing red yeast rice (Monascus purpureas) (Cholestin) has been shown to effectively lower cholesterol and triglycerides in people with moderately elevated levels of these blood lipids. This extract contains small amounts of naturally occurring HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as lovastatin and should not be used if you are currently taking a statin medication.
Red Yeast RiceRosuvastatin- Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:231-6.
-
Reduces Effectiveness
Rosuvastatin
Magnesium
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
A magnesium- and aluminum-containing antacid was reported to interfere with atorvastatin absorption. People can avoid this interaction by taking atorvastatin two hours before or after any aluminum/magnesium-containing antacids. Some magnesium supplements such as magnesium hydroxide are also antacids.
MagnesiumRosuvastatin- Threlkeld DS, ed. Diuretics and Cardiovasculars, Antihyperlipidemic Agents, HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Sep 1998, 172a.
-
-
Supportive Interactions
8-
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Rosuvastatin
Coenzyme Q10
In a group of patients beginning treatment with atorvastatin, the average concentration of coenzyme Q10 in blood plasma decreased within 14 days, and had fallen by approximately 50% after 30 days of treatment. Many doctors recommend CoQ10 supplementation to prevent the drug-induced decline in CoQ10 levels.
Coenzyme Q10Rosuvastatin- Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, et al. Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arch Neurol 2004;61:889-92.
-
Support Medicine
Rosuvastatin
Fish Oil
In a preliminary trial, taking an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (“statin”) for about three years significantly lowered triglyceride levels and raised levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol who had also been supplementing with either 900 mg or 1,800 mg of EPA for three months. The authors of the study concluded that the combination of the statin and EPA may prevent coronary heart disease better than the drug alone. Since drugs in the statin family have similar mechanisms of action, people taking any statin drug may benefit from fish oil.
Fish OilRosuvastatin- Nakamura N, Hamazaki T, Ohta M, et al. Joint effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and eicosapentaenoic acids on serum lipid profile and plasma fatty acid concentrations in patients with hyperlipidemia. Int J Clin Lab Res 1999;29:22-5.
-
Support Medicine
Rosuvastatin
Psyllium
In one study, the addition of psyllium (10 grams per day) enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of lovastatin.PsylliumRosuvastatin- Agrawal AR, Tandon M, Sharma PL. Effect of combining viscous fibre with lovastatin on serum lipids in normal human subjects. Int J Clin Pract 2007;61:1812-8.
-
Support Medicine
Rosuvastatin
Sitostanol
A synthetic molecule related to beta-sitosterol, sitostanol, is available in a special margarine and has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, supplementing with 1.8 grams of sitostanol per day for six weeks enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of various statin drugs.
SitostanolRosuvastatin- Goldberg AC, Ostlund RE Jr, Bateman JH, et al. Effect of plant stanol tablets on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in patients on statin drugs. Am J Cardiol 2006;97:376-9.
-
Reduce Side Effects
Rosuvastatin
Coenzyme Q10
In a preliminary study, supplementation with 100 mg of CoQ10 per day reduced the severity of muscle pain by 40% in people with muscle pain caused by a statin drug. A double-blind trial also found that CoQ10 (200 mg per day) significantly decreased drug-induced muscle symptoms in people taking statin drugs.
However, in another double-blind trial, CoQ10 in the amount of 60 mg twice a day for one month was not more effective than a placebo for relieving muscle pain. Although the evidence is conflicting regarding whether supplementing with CoQ10 relieves statin-induced muscle symptoms, many doctors recommend CoQ10 supplementation to prevent the drug-induced decline in CoQ10 levels.
Coenzyme Q10Rosuvastatin- Caso G, Kelly P, McNurlan MA, Lawson WE. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on myopathic symptoms in patients treated with statins. Am J Cardiol 2007;99:1409-12.
- Fedacko J, Pella D, Fedackova P, et al. Coenzyme Q10 and selenium in statin-associated myopathy treatment. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2013;91:165–70.
- Bookstaver DA, Burkhalter NA, Hatzigeorgiou C. Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on statin-induced myalgias. Am J Cardiol 2012;110:526-9.
-
Reduce Side Effects
Rosuvastatin
Creatine
In a preliminary study, ten patients who had to discontinue statin drugs because of muscle-related side effects were given creatine (as creatine monohydrate) in the amount of 5 grams twice a day for five days, then 5 grams per day. Eight of the ten patients experienced no muscle symptoms upon resuming the statin drug.CreatineRosuvastatin- Shewmon DA, Craig JM. Creatine supplementation prevents statin-induced muscle toxicity. Ann Intern Med 2010;153:690-2.
-
Reduce Side Effects
Rosuvastatin
Vitamin D
In a preliminary trial, supplementation with vitamin D appeared to prevent muscle-related side effects in patients taking statin drugs. The amount of vitamin D used in this study was very large (up to 50,000 IU twice a week) and potentially toxic. People taking statin drugs should consult with their doctor regarding how much vitamin D can be taken.Vitamin DRosuvastatin- Glueck CJ, Budhani SB, Masineni SS, et al. Vitamin D deficiency, myositis-myalgia, and reversible statin intolerance. Curr Med Res Opin 2011;27:1683-90.
-
Reduce Side Effects
Rosuvastatin
Vitamin E
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
Oxidative damage to LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is widely believed to contribute to heart disease. In a double-blind trial, lovastatin was found to increase oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol and vitamin E was reported to protect against such damage, though not to completely overcome the negative effect of lovastatin. This study suggests that people taking lovastatin might benefit from supplemental vitamin E.
Vitamin ERosuvastatin- Palomäki A, Malminiemi K, Malminiemi O, Solakivi T. Effects of lovastatin therapy on susceptibility of LDL to oxidation durgy alpha-tocopherol supplementation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1999;19:1541-8.
-
-
Explanation Required
1-
Needs Explanation
Rosuvastatin
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
A recent blinded study showed that individuals taking both rosuvastatin and niacin had a greater increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I than did those taking rosuvastatin alone. People taking rosuvastatin might benefit from taking niacin, though they should consult with their healthcare provider before starting the supplement. When taken with niacin, some statin drugs may become more toxic so there is a possibility of an adverse interaction.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)Rosuvastatin- Capuzzi DM, Morgan JM, Weiss RJ, et al. Beneficial effects of rosuvastatin alone and in combination with extended-release niacin in patients with a combined hyperlipidemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Am J Cardiol 2003;91:1304-10.
-