There are two types of cholesterol in the human body: LDL or bad cholesterol and HDL or good cholesterol. Cholesterol is present in many types of food like eggs or milk and once it entered the organism it travels through the blood stream inside the lipoprotein. High levels of bad cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Considering that a large number of individuals have cholesterol levels higher than normal and that they wish to avoid potential problems, they might be interested in taking cholesterol medications.

One of the strongest prescription drugs available for their problem is Crestor, also known as rosuvastatin. The medication should be taken once a day, respecting the prescribed dosage. According to the manufacturing company it can reduce the level of bad cholesterol with up to 50 percent if taken regularly. However there are several aspects patients should be aware of in order to obtain the maximum benefits from their treatment.

Before starting the medication all patients should perform liver exams, with the purpose of detecting any previous problems. Crestor can affect the liver, so it is not recommended to individuals suffering from this kind of problem. Other groups of patients should also avoid taking the drug. Risk groups include pregnant women, individuals suffering from kidney or heart problems, those facing a surgery, patients older than 65 and those who consume considerable quantities of alcohol.

During treatment patients should make sure they respect the dosage, take the medication every day at the same time, avoid consuming alcohol, fatty meals and grapefruits and combine the treatment with a healthy diet and physical exercises. They should also pay attention to possible side effects.

Like all drugs Crestor can also develop a series of side effects. The most common problems patients might face include headaches, weakness, nausea, muscle and abdominal pain. Normally these symptoms are mild and temporary. However if they persist or worsen, a doctor should be consulted.

The medication can however cause more serious problems. Severe allergic reactions or muscle damage can occur. Immediate medical assistance will be needed in case patients experience:

• Extreme fatigue or severe muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the feet or ankle
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

These problems can be signs of severe muscle damage leading to liver, kidney or heart failure. What exactly causes rosuvastatin heart failure is not yet known, but doctors believe it is related to the fact that the medication lowers the level of coenzyme Q10 in the organism. So if patients wish to safely benefit from the treatment, they should strictly respect the medical prescription and contact their doctor soon as negative effects develop.