The NHS has issued a warning to people taking rosuvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin, advising them to stop taking the medication and seek medical advice if they experience certain serious side effects. Although rare, these side effects can indicate muscle breakdown, liver problems, or other serious conditions.
Rosuvastatin is used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It is also prescribed for people with diabetes, kidney disease, or a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease. According to the British Heart Foundation, an estimated seven to eight million adults in the UK take statins.
The NHS advises that serious side effects occur in less than one in 1,000 people. Patients should stop taking rosuvastatin and call a doctor or NHS 111 if they experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps, which could signal muscle breakdown and kidney damage. Other warning signs include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine), which may indicate liver problems; severe stomach pain (possible acute pancreatitis); a skin rash with pink-red blotches on the palms or soles (erythema multiforme); or weakness in the arms or legs that worsens after activity, double vision, drooping eyelids, swallowing difficulties, or shortness of breath (possible myasthenia gravis).
For severe breathing or swallowing problems, the NHS advises calling 999 or going to A&E immediately. Common side effects affecting more than one in 100 people include headaches, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, and nausea. Patients are advised to continue taking the medication if these side effects are mild, but to consult a doctor or pharmacist if they persist.
