Statins
RosuvastatinRosuvastatin Calcium
Rosuvastatin (generic Crestor) is a high-potency statin taken once a day to lower LDL cholesterol. It is generic and is often chosen when a large cholesterol reduction is needed or when another statin was not tolerated.
This page is general information about a medication and how cash prices for it are set. It is not medical advice and does not replace the label, your prescriber or your pharmacist. How we handle medical information
All tablet strengths are generic. Ezallor sprinkle capsules are a brand product for people who cannot swallow tablets.
About Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin works the same way as other statins, by blocking cholesterol synthesis in the liver, but milligram for milligram it is the most potent statin available. A relatively low dose achieves what a higher dose of another statin would, which is one reason prescribers reach for it when a person has not reached target on atorvastatin or simvastatin.
It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. It is less dependent on the liver enzyme pathway that atorvastatin and simvastatin use, so it has fewer drug interactions with that pathway, though interactions with certain HIV, hepatitis C and transplant medicines still matter. People of East Asian ancestry may need lower starting doses because blood levels tend to run higher.
Side effects are similar to other statins. Muscle symptoms and, rarely, a rise in liver enzymes are the main things to watch. Prescribers sometimes rotate between statins to find the one an individual tolerates best.
Why the cash price for Rosuvastatin differs from pharmacy to pharmacy
Rosuvastatin went generic several years after atorvastatin and its cash price has fallen to a similar commodity level, but the spread between pharmacies has not closed. Many chains still price it as if it were a recent generic, while independents and mail-order pharmacies price it close to cost.
Because the 40 mg tablet is used less often, some pharmacies do not stock it and quote a higher price to order it in. If you are on a high dose it is worth asking who keeps it in stock.
Ways to pay less for Rosuvastatin without insurance
- Ask for a ninety-day prescription; per-fill dispensing fees are most of the cost of a cheap generic.
- Compare independents and mail-order pharmacies, not just the chain nearest you.
- Ask your prescriber whether a scored higher-strength tablet could be split if you are on a low dose and the prescriber agrees.
- If the 40 mg strength is quoted high, ask whether it is a stocking issue and whether another pharmacy nearby holds it.
- Upload your prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their real cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for Rosuvastatin
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your Rosuvastatin prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Questions to ask your pharmacist about Rosuvastatin
- 1.Is there a reason to take this at a particular time?
- 2.Which of my other medicines could interact with rosuvastatin?
- 3.What muscle symptoms should I report?
- 4.Is my dose typical for my situation, or was it started low on purpose?
- 5.How soon will my cholesterol be re-tested?
Related medications
Sources
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.