Cavstat (Rosuvastatin Calcium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cavstat Used For?
Cavstat is a cholesterol-lowering medication that helps protect your heart and blood vessels from damage caused by high cholesterol levels.
Primary Uses
Cavstat is used to lower high cholesterol levels. It can also reduce your risk of stroke or heart attack if you are a man 50 or older, or a woman 60 or older, and have at least 2 risk factors such as high blood pressure, low good cholesterol (HDL), smoking, or family history of early heart disease. Your doctor may do a blood test for C Reactive Protein to help decide if Cavstat is right for this use.
How It Works
Cavstat belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It works by lowering the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) and raising the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. It doesn’t reduce cholesterol from food, so you’ll need to follow a low-fat diet, control your weight, and exercise regularly while taking it.
Good to know: Cavstat is not addictive and you don’t need to worry about becoming dependent on it.
How to Take Cavstat
Your doctor will determine the right starting dose based on your condition and ethnic background. Take Cavstat exactly as prescribed.
Dosage Instructions
For high cholesterol, your doctor will likely start you on 5mg or 10mg once daily, then may increase to 20mg daily if needed. Some patients may need 40mg daily. For heart attack/stroke prevention with normal cholesterol, your doctor may start you on 20mg. The maximum daily dose is 40mg. Take once daily at the same time each day. Swallow whole with water. Can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 6 hours before your next dose. Otherwise, wait until your next scheduled dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Do not increase or adjust your Cavstat dose yourself. Only your doctor should change your dosage.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headache
- constipation
- dizziness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- stomach pain
- unusual tiredness
- itchy skin
- memory loss
- stiff or painful joints
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- muscle aching, tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise, especially with fever or feeling generally unwell
- difficulty breathing with swelling of face, eyelids or lips
- difficulty breathing and coughing, especially if feeling generally unwell (fatigue, weight loss, fever)
Important Warnings
There are important situations when Cavstat should not be used and conditions your doctor needs to know about before prescribing it.
Who Should Not Take Cavstat
Do not use Cavstat if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Do not use if you have active liver disease or elevated liver enzymes. Do not use the 40mg strength if you have low thyroid levels, personal/family history of muscle disorders, previous muscle problems from cholesterol medications, heavy alcohol use, Asian heritage, are taking fibrates or fusidic acid, have severe kidney problems, or conditions that increase rosuvastatin blood levels.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, low thyroid levels, personal/family history of muscle disorders, previous muscle problems from cholesterol medications, unexplained muscle aches or pains, or if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol. Also mention any allergies to other statins like simvastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, or fluvastatin.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Cavstat must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Cavstat, stop immediately and contact your doctor. Ask your doctor about effective contraception methods.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can affect how Cavstat works or increase the risk of side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- cyclosporin (used after organ transplant)
- antacids (take Cavstat 2 hours before or after antacids)
- warfarin (blood thinner)
- clopidogrel (blood clot prevention)
- gemfibrozil (cholesterol medication)
- fusidic acid (antibiotic)
- HIV protease inhibitors with ritonavir
- simeprevir (hepatitis C treatment)
- eltrombopag (increases platelet count)
- over-the-counter medicines and herbal products
Alcohol & Driving
Be aware of how Cavstat may affect your ability to drive and your alcohol consumption.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption may not be safe while taking Cavstat. Discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Cavstat generally doesn’t affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but it may cause dizziness in some people. Be careful until you know how it affects you.
Storage
Keep tablets in their original blister pack or bottle until ready to take. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Don’t store in the bathroom or near sinks as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground. Don’t leave in hot cars.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Cavstat, immediately call your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no obvious symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will monitor your cholesterol and triglyceride levels during treatment to see how well Cavstat is working. The timing can vary between individuals.
Yes, Cavstat can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. It doesn’t matter whether you take it on an empty stomach or with meals.
No, Cavstat is not addictive. You don’t need to worry about becoming dependent on this medication.
If you stop taking Cavstat, your cholesterol and triglyceride levels may rise again. Don’t stop taking it unless you’ve discussed it with your doctor. You may need to take cholesterol-lowering medicines for the rest of your life.
Excessive alcohol consumption may not be safe while taking Cavstat. You should discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor, especially if you regularly drink large amounts.
Tell your doctor if you notice a significant increase in your need to urinate or if you are significantly more hungry or thirsty than usual, as these could be important side effects.
Yes, but timing matters. Cavstat can be taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking an antacid to avoid any interaction.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.