How Long Does Rosuvastatin (Crestor) Stay in Your System?

Statins are first-choice medications for managing high cholesterol. They can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people at an increased risk. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a standout option because it works well and has a relatively long half-life. This allows you to take it at any time of day.

But if you need to stop taking rosuvastatin, its long half-life can affect the amount of time it takes your body to clear it. Here’s what you should know about how long rosuvastatin lasts in your system, and what this means for side effects and other safety considerations.

How long does rosuvastatin stay in your system?

Rosuvastatin can stay in your system longer than other statins. For the average person, it can take 3 to 4 days for the body to remove most of the medication after the last dose. This is because it takes about 19 hours for the body to remove half of it (called its half-life). It typically takes 4 to 5 half-lives for most of a medication to be cleared.

Promotion disclosure

Rosuvastatin

Avg retail price

$143.99(Save 93.35%)

GoodRx discount

$9.58

Compare all prices

But just because rosuvastatin remains in your system for this time doesn’t mean it’s continuously lowering cholesterol. Its effects weaken over time if you miss doses. So, it’s best to take rosuvastatin as directed and talk to your prescriber before stopping it.

Can you flush rosuvastatin out of your system?

There’s no safe or effective way to speed up the removal of rosuvastatin from your body. Your liver and kidneys naturally process and eliminate the medication over time.

If you or a loved one has taken too much rosuvastatin, contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222 for further guidance.

Do side effects go away after you stop taking rosuvastatin?

Side effects, such as muscle pain, are a common reason why some people stop taking statins. If that sounds like your situation, you may be wondering if the muscle pain will go away after stopping treatment.

Compared to most other statins, rosuvastatin may be less likely to cause muscle pain. But if you have muscle pain, it usually goes away within 2 weeks of stopping the medication. Other rosuvastatin side effects, such as headache, nausea, and constipation, should also go away after you stop taking it.

If you want to stop rosuvastatin because of side effects, there are a few other strategies your prescriber may recommend instead. Examples include lowering your dose, taking your statin every other day, or switching statins. In most cases, these strategies help people stick with statin therapy. Talk to your prescriber about your options.

Keep in mind: While rare, rhabdomyolysis is possible with statins. It’s when toxic byproducts from damaged muscle leak into your bloodstream. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, and brownish-red urine. Rhabdomyolysis can be life-threatening and requires medical care.

Are there factors that can affect how long rosuvastatin stays in your system?

Most people process rosuvastatin similarly. But certain factors can influence how your body handles and gets rid of the medication.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Muscle pain from statins: Learn who’s more likely to have muscle pain from statins and what you can do about it.

• Stopping your statin: Here’s a list of reasons why you shouldn’t suddenly stop taking your statin.

• Statin interactions: Each statin has unique interactions. But there are some general statin interactions that you should know about.

For example, kidney problems can interfere with how rosuvastatin is cleared from the body. When this happens, rosuvastatin can build up in the body. This can increase the risk of side effects. If you have severe kidney disease, you’ll likely be prescribed a lower rosuvastatin dose.

What’s more, certain medications can interfere with how the liver breaks down rosuvastatin. This can cause higher levels in the body than expected. 

If you take one of these medications, you may be prescribed a lower rosuvastatin dose. And in some cases, you should avoid certain combinations. Examples include:

• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

• Teriflunomide (Aubagio)

• Febuxostat (Uloric)

• Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

• Certain antivirals, such as nirmatrelvir / ritonavir (Paxlovid)

Make sure your healthcare team has an up-to-date list of your medications for review. This list should also include over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.

Should you stop taking rosuvastatin before getting pregnant?

In the past, statins like rosuvastatin were not recommended during pregnancy. But in 2021, the FDA removed this blanket warning.

That said, most people should stop taking statins once they know they’re pregnant. But your healthcare team will decide if the medication’s benefits outweigh its potential risks in your situation. 

You shouldn’t take rosuvastatin if you’re breastfeeding. If you need to take a statin, alternatives such as infant formula are recommended.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA, has been a pharmacist for 12 years. His first job was floating in a community chain pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts