Rosuvastatin dosage, forms, and strengths

Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Board-Certified Family Physician
Updated Mar 5, 2025  •  Published Jan 9, 2025
Datos Verificados
In this article:

Key takeaways

  • Rosuvastatin lowers cholesterol levels.

  • Doses are taken by mouth with or without food.

  • Take only one dose each day.

  • People who cannot swallow a tablet or capsule can mix the capsule contents with soft food and take doses that way.

Rosuvastatin lowers cholesterol levels. As a prescription statin, rosuvastatin blocks the liver enzymes that synthesize “bad” LDL cholesterol. At the same time, rosuvastatin increases “good” HDL cholesterol. Available as a tablet or capsule, rosuvastatin doses are taken by mouth once daily.

Rosuvastatin forms and strengths

Rosuvastatin tablets are available as generics or as brand-name Crestor. Capsules are another dosage form but can only be purchased as brand-name Ezallor Sprinkle.

  • Tablet: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

  • Capsule: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

Rosuvastatin dosage for adults

Rosuvastatin is a prescription cholesterol-lowering drug used to treat a variety of conditions including high cholesterol and fat levels (primary hyperlipidemia), high fat levels (hypertriglyceridemia), hereditary high cholesterol and fats (familial hypercholesterolemia or primary dysbetalipoproteinemia), or simply to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in people with heart problems. Healthcare professionals also use it to slow down the progress of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries).

Rosuvastatin is not 100% safe for everyone. It should not be used in people with liver failure, serious or progressing liver cirrhosis, or known allergies to rosuvastatin. Though not contraindicated, rosuvastatin is not considered safe to take during pregnancy. To prevent possible side effects, people who are of Asian descent or who have muscle problems, liver problems, kidney problems, or thyroid problems should discuss these issues with the doctor before taking rosuvastatin. 

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Rosuvastatin dosage chart
Indication Starting dosage Standard dosage Maximum dosage
For all indications in adults 5–40 mg once daily 5–40 mg once daily 40 mg daily

Rosuvastatin dosage for high cholesterol

About 71 million Americans have high cholesterol levels. There are no symptoms, but people with high cholesterol levels have an increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular complications like plaque buildup, heart attack, stroke, and death. Statins are the first-line treatment for lowering cholesterol, but some providers start patients on statins that are less powerful than rosuvastatin, such as atorvastatin or simvastatin. Statins primary mechanism of action is to block the liver enzymes that synthesize low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or “bad” cholesterol) while stimulating the body’s breakdown of LDL-C. 

The FDA approved rosuvastatin to lower high cholesterol levels in people with certain conditions, including high cholesterol (primary hyperlipidemia), high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia), and inherited high cholesterol conditions. Doses will vary. 

  • Standard dosage for high cholesterol: 5–40 mg once daily

  • Maximum dosage for high cholesterol: 40 mg daily

Rosuvastatin dosage for the prevention of cardiovascular problems 

Not all people prescribed rosuvastatin have high cholesterol. However, doctors consider the higher end of “normal” cholesterol levels to be risky for some people. These include people with plaque buildup in their arteries (atherosclerosis) or who already have cardiovascular disease along with other risk factors. The goal of rosuvastatin treatment is to reduce cholesterol levels to the lower end of normal to decrease the risk of bad outcomes such as heart attack or stroke.

Dosages are the same for people with high cholesterol. Again, dose strength is individualized but are always taken once daily.

  • Standard dosage for the prevention of cardiovascular problems: 5–40 mg once daily

  • Maximum dosage for the prevention of cardiovascular problems: 40 mg daily

Rosuvastatin dosage for children

Although most people think of high cholesterol as a problem for grown-ups, children can be born with hereditary high cholesterol. There are two types that affect children. The most common is heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), which affects about 1 in 200 people and is the less severe of the two. Rosuvastatin is FDA-approved to lower cholesterol in pediatric patients 8 years and older diagnosed with HeFH. Doses range from 5 mg to 20 mg daily.

The rarest and most severe type of inherited high cholesterol is homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The child inherits the defective gene from both parents, so hyperlipidemia is much more severe. It affects about 1 in 300,000 people and can result in staggeringly high cholesterol levels (400 ng/mL or higher). 

HoFH disease puts children at an extremely high risk of heart disease, including heart attack. For this reason, doctors start cholesterol-lowering treatment as soon as it’s diagnosed. Treatment can be complex and usually involves several cholesterol-lowering drugs. The statin dose is usually high, so parents can be expected to give their children the maximum dose daily. 

  • Standard rosuvastatin dosage for children 8–9 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 5–10 mg tablet or capsule once daily

  • Maximum rosuvastatin dosage for children 8–10 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 10 mg daily

  • Standard rosuvastatin dosage for children 10 years of age and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 5–20 mg tablet or capsule once daily

  • Maximum rosuvastatin dosage for children 10 years of age and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 20 mg daily

  • Standard rosuvastatin dosage for children 7 years of age and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 20 mg daily

  • Maximum rosuvastatin dosage for children 7 years of age and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 20 mg daily

Rosuvastatin dosage restrictions

People with stable liver disease do not require dosage modifications when prescribed rosuvastatin. However, people with active liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis cannot safely take any dose of rosuvastatin.

Mild and moderate kidney disease also do not require dosage reductions. However, people with severe renal disease must start on the lowest possible dose (5 mg daily). The maximum daily dose allowed is 10 mg per day.

People of Asian descent may be started on a lower rosuvastatin dose (5 mg/day). Some people of Asian descent are more sensitive to the effects of rosuvastatin, so lower doses are more effective than in other people, and higher doses are more likely to cause side effects such as muscle pain (myopathy). Checking lipid profile labs will help gauge what dose is effective. 

How to take rosuvastatin

Taking rosuvastatin tablets and capsules is relatively straightforward. The one exception is when capsules are used for people who can’t swallow a tablet or capsule. The instructions there are a bit more complicated:

  • Take rosuvastatin as instructed.

  • The dose may need to be changed during the course of treatment.

  • Please read the Patient Information insert that comes with this medicine.

  • Take rosuvastatin tablets and capsules with or without food.

  • Take only one dose daily. Doses can be taken at any time of the day. If a dose is missed, do not double the dose the next day. 

  • How to take rosuvastatin tablets

    • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

    • Store rosuvastatin tablets at room temperature, protected from moisture.

  • How to take rosuvastatin capsules

    • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew it. 

    • For those who cannot swallow a capsule, open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on one teaspoon of soft food such as applesauce.

    • Stir the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.

    • Swallow the mixture within one hour of mixing. Do not chew. 

    • Throw away any unused mixture. Don’t store it for later use.

    • Rosuvastatin capsules can also be administered through a nasogastric tube. The full instructions are found in the Instructions for Use insert included with the medicine. 

    • Remember to only use water (40 mL) to mix with the capsule contents and use a nasogastric tube that is 16-French or larger.

    • Store rosuvastatin capsules at room temperature in a dry place.

Rosuvastatin dosage FAQs

How long does it take rosuvastatin to work?

Rosuvastatin is a long-term treatment whose effects are measured in weeks and years. In clinical studies, daily rosuvastatin doses significantly reduced total cholesterol levels and LDL-C cholesterol levels in six weeks. For the prevention of cardiovascular problems, the benefits of taking rosuvastatin can only be known after years of use.

How long does rosuvastatin stay in your system?

With a half-life of 19 hours, rosuvastatin takes about four days to be completely eliminated from the body.

What happens if I miss a dose of rosuvastatin?

If a rosuvastatin dose is missed, skip it. Take the next dose at its regularly scheduled time. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

How long can you take rosuvastatin?

Rosuvastatin is a long-term treatment. Healthcare professionals prescribe it for months or years as long it works to lower cholesterol and doesn’t cause serious problems. There are no side effects that result from long-term use.

How do I stop taking rosuvastatin?

Do not stop taking rosuvastatin doses until talking to a doctor. Though there are no withdrawal symptoms, stopping rosuvastatin without starting another cholesterol-lowering therapy could result in a sudden spike in cholesterol levels. 

Healthcare professionals may stop the medication for several reasons, including allergic reactions or intolerable side effects such as muscle pain (myopathy) or severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis). Statins are the front-line treatment for lowering cholesterol, so healthcare professionals may try another statin. Other possibilities include ezetimibe or bile acid sequestrants (which decrease the body’s absorption of cholesterol from food), fibrates, niacin, or a new class of drugs called PCSK-9 inhibitors.

What is the maximum dosage for rosuvastatin?

The maximum dosage for rosuvastatin in adults is 40 mg daily. The maximum dosage is lower for children and depends on age.

Can you overdose on rosuvastatin?

Do not take larger doses than prescribed or take more than one dose in a day. While there are usually no symptoms of an overdose, taking too much rosuvastatin makes side effects such as muscle pain more likely. If too much rosuvastatin is taken or if you experience unexplained muscle pain (myopathy) when taking rosuvastatin at any dose, immediately contact the prescribing healthcare provider or call a poison helpline.

What interacts with rosuvastatin?

To avoid possible drug interactions, make sure the prescriber and pharmacist know about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements being taken, especially:

Tell the doctor if you’re taking antacids containing magnesium and aluminum. You must take the rosuvastatin dose at least two hours before using the antacid.

What happens when you mix rosuvastatin and alcohol?

Alcohol is not prohibited but can interfere with the therapeutic effects of rosuvastatin and increase the risk of liver damage or side effects. Tell the doctor if you consume two or more alcoholic drinks daily.

Is it safe to take rosuvastatin during pregnancy?

It is not safe to take rosuvastatin during pregnancy because there’s a risk that the drug will harm the fetus. Immediately tell the prescriber if you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant. The drug may need to be stopped.

Is it safe to take rosuvastatin while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is not recommended in women taking rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is present in human breast milk, and its effects on nursing infants aren’t known to be safe. Cholesterol is known to be a vital part of a baby’s growth and development, so doctors don’t want to use drugs that reduce the infant’s ability to make cholesterol.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Board-Certified Family Physician

Leslie Greenberg, MD, is a board-certified practicing family physician with more than 25 years of doctoring experience. She was a psychology major at Northwestern University near Chicago, then graduated with an MD from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She completed her family medicine residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. She has trained more than 350 family medicine resident-physicians, been in private practice, and delivered babies for 22 years.

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