Health Information

Rosuvastatin

Drug Information

Rosuvastatin is used along with dietary changes to reduce total and LDL ("bad") Reference 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.

Common brand names:

Crestor

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

Reference What Are Nutrient Interactions

Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

Reference Coenzyme Q10

In a randomized, double-blind trial, blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were measured in 45 people with high cholesterol treated with Reference lovastatin or Reference pravastatin (drugs related to fluvastatin) for 18 weeks.¹ A significant decline in blood levels of CoQ10 occurred with either drug. One study found that supplementation with 100 mg of CoQ10 prevented declines in CoQ10 when taken with Reference simvastatin (another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug).² Many doctors recommend that people taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drugs such as fluvastatin also supplement with approximately 100 mg CoQ10 per day, although lower amounts, such as 10–30 mg per day, might conceivably be effective in preventing the decline in CoQ10 levels.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Reduce Side Effects

Reference Vitamin D

In a preliminary trial, supplementation with vitamin D appeared to prevent muscle-related side effects in patients taking statin drugs.³ 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.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Support Medicine

Reference Psyllium

In one study, the addition of psyllium (10 grams per day) enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of lovastatin⁴.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Sitostanol

A synthetic molecule related to Reference beta-sitosterol, sitostanol, is available in a special margarine and has been shown to Reference 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.⁵

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Reduces Effectiveness

none

Potential Negative Interaction

Reference Antioxidants

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
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.⁶

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Reference Red Yeast Rice

A supplement containing red yeast rice (Monascus purpureas) (Cholestin) has been shown to effectively Reference lower cholesterol and Reference triglycerides in people with moderately elevated levels of these blood lipids.⁷ 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.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Explanation Required

Reference Vitamin B3

A recent blinded study showed that individuals taking both rosuvastatin and niacin had a greater increase in Reference HDL (“good”) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I than did those taking rosuvastatin alone.⁸ 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.

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

References

1. Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, Rohde M. Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1997;18(suppl):S137–44.

2. Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, et al. Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Molec Aspects Med 1994;15(suppl):s187–93.

3. 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.

4. REF: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.

5. 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.

6. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol2006;98:705–6.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Last Review: 11-07-2012

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.

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