Rosuvastatin and Pain: What Users Say

• ald...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "I was prescribed Crestor 10mg as my cholesterol was high, even though my blood pressure was normal. I experienced mild muscle and joint pain during the first 3 months. As it affected my liver function, as shown in blood test results, my GP advised me to lower the dose to 5mg. To save costs, I purchased 10mg generic brand and took it every other day. After 2 months, I noticed I had dark urine and quite severe upper arm/shoulder pain. After stopping the medication, my urine reverted to normal color, however, I am still having arm/shoulder pain after 3 months. Not sure if the pain will go away or will be permanent! I would never take Crestor or any statin again."

• dre...
• December 11, 2016

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "After a few years of taking Crestor (which worked fine for its intended purpose), I suddenly developed a severe case of sciatica. I couldn't stand, sit, walk, lie down, or do any other activity without terrible pain up and down the back of my left leg. I was tested for everything, including MRI and using Novocaine and other painkillers. Nothing helped. After five months of constant pain, my doctor suggested discontinuing Crestor. The pain was completely gone within a week. Come to find out, my sciatic nerve passed through my Piriformis muscle instead of around it like in most people. The Crestor had caused toxicity in the Piriformis muscle, which caused it to squeeze the sciatic nerve continuously, resulting in continuous pain."

• Bil...
• March 6, 2019

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Could not get up from a chair after taking Crestor generic. Then I stopped taking the drug two weeks ago and still have trouble with muscle weakness and pain. It is very painful to enter a car and to sleep at night. I failed to mention the problems with my joints in my fingers and toes stiffness and cramps."

• Laf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "I'm using Crestor for my cholesterol, but I have noticed I'm getting horrible leg pains. Is this a side effect of this medicine? Does anybody else have experience with the same side effects, or is this normal?"

• Moh...
• March 3, 2016

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "I am a physician and I started Crestor 5 mg since 1 year. After 6 months, my cardiologist increased the dose to 10 mg once daily. Liver enzymes were okay. However, I have suffered from severe pain in my upper back muscles. This pain was persistent and not relieved by rest. I got the feeling that with any minor exercise, all my muscles start to be so painful and aching. I have read all your reviews below, and I decided to lower the dose and take Crestor every other day. I will see if the pain will disappear or not and discuss that with my cardiologist."

• Kit...
• September 5, 2012

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Doctor prescribed Crestor 5mg, after I experienced bad muscle pains with two other brands. A few days after taking Crestor, I got very painful muscles. I went off the Crestor for a month (suggested by a cardiologist) and took only lecithin gel capsules. After the month was up, I had a lipogram, and cholesterol was high; Total cholesterol was 260, HDL: 55, LDL: 171, Triglycerides: 151 - All numbers significantly higher than 3 months previously. So contrary to the hype about Lecithin, it did not work. It is clear, I cannot take statins of any kind. Disappointing, as Crestor is said to work well and work quick but side effects are painful and can be dangerous."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2016

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "I took Crestor for about two years with minor side effects. Since I turned 65, I noticed my leg muscles (hamstrings, knees) were hurting. I stopped taking Crestor, and my legs feel better. The drug did help lower my cholesterol, but my legs were killing me, and I had trouble walking due to the stiffness and pain. While I am not 100% certain my leg pain was due to Crestor, it certainly looks that way. It has only been 6 days since I stopped."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2020

Rosuvastatin for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I was prescribed Crestor after a triple bypass. 40mg daily and I finally weaned myself off of this drug after 7 1/2 months due to side effects. I was to the point where I could barely walk, my knees and feet were extremely painful. My shoulder joints had me in rehab therapy also. No energy, weight gain, and a thumb that now locks in place which is anything but pleasant. All these symptoms have significantly eased up and hoping to get back to 95% of my old self!"

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2012

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Crestor lowered my cholesterol and triglycerides, but I noticed weight gain (20 pounds in a year) and tiredness and no energy. I started having chest pains, arm pain, jaw pain. Cardiologist did a catheterization and found nothing to warrant the symptoms I was having. I stopped the Crestor and within 2 to 3 weeks I feel back to normal and dropped 8 pounds! I have increased my fish oil intake and paying more attention to diet hopefully won't have to go back on another statin."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2012

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Crestor lowered my cholesterol and triglycerides, but I noticed weight gain (20 pounds in a year) and tiredness and no energy. I started having chest pains, arm pain, jaw pain. Cardiologist did a catheterization and found nothing to warrant the symptoms I was having. I stopped the Crestor and within 2 to 3 weeks I feel back to normal and dropped 8 pounds! I have increased my fish oil intake and paying more attention to diet hopefully won't have to go back on another statin."

• ach...
• February 24, 2017

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Took Rosuvastatin (Crestor generic) 10mg for 3 months. Had knee pain, developed severe headaches, increased ringing and buzzing in ears. Makes me concerned about taking any statins again ever. Decreased LDL but too strong. Noted my blood sugar was increased above the usual. So, watch for that in your lab tests as it may be linked to this or other lipid medication."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2016

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "My LDL is high, HDL is low, and triglycerides are high. Dr. recommended Crestor 5 mg. Initially, I couldn't recognize the leg pain and numbness. I couldn't sleep for several nights while on this medicine for a few days. I stopped taking Crestor after reading its reviews, and that stopped my leg pain. I am 35 years old and decided to go with fish oil, a healthy diet, and exercise."

• Obs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2017

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "CRESTOR 20mg - STARTED TAKING ON Jan 14, 2015, TWO YEARS AGO. Approx. Dec 2016, started to have noticeable pain in legs - meanwhile, playing tennis 3 times a week. On Feb 21, 2017, cardiologist would not eliminate Crestor or substitute but said to go to 1/2 dosage, which I did. It's effective. Will review in 4 months with cardiologist. MUSCLE ACHES SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ATHLETES WITH THIS STATIN - MAYBE OTHER STATINS TOO. 11/01/2016 - Recognized leg pain - both lower legs as a problem. 12/19/16 - Saw sports medicine doctor at Penn - Naproxen scripted. 02/21/17 - Talked with cardiologist about continuing, both lower leg pain, now reduced to 10mg - PAIN REDUCED QUICKLY AFTER LOWER DOSAGE and remains minimal NOW"

• KPa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I started taking 5 mg generic Crestor 2 years ago, every other day, no problems. My cholesterol wasn't coming down low enough, it's hereditary for me. Doctor increased to 5 mg every day for the past 8 months. My knees are killing me, like they are going to buckle under me, and muscle pain in my chest. Doctor convinced it's not a side effect. I'm convinced it is. I'm very active and never had problems before. My hands go numb, doctor keeps saying I'm fine! I'm going to have my blood work after COVID-19 calms down and I can get to a real doctor visit. I'm so glad it's not just me!"

• Tau...
• May 12, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I had my thyroid gland destroyed. My doctor told me it would cause a false elevation with my cholesterol. Fast forward several years. New nurse practitioner. Blood work done, high cholesterol. Was put on generic Crestor. She said it wouldn't make a difference if my thyroid was destroyed. Have genetic high cholesterol. So, I ended up on rosuvastatin. I took 10 mg for 7 days. I felt like I had the flu. Hurt all over. Nausea. I decided to take 10 mg 3 times a week. I'd get out of my car and actually felt stiff and limped. Told my nurse practitioner and she didn't believe Crestor did that. Lowered my cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides some. So, I decreased to 5 mg 3 times a week. Same symptoms, nothing changed. I feel like I'm 90. So, I stopped it for a week. Felt pretty good. Had energy. Tried 5 mg again. Nauseous, same issues. Miserable. Recheck in 2 weeks. Decided to go on a low-fat diet and walk 5 days a week. I can't keep taking this drug."

• Hip...
• December 15, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "My prescribed dosage, which I stuck with for 5 years until I reduced it, was 1 x 20 mg per day. This eventually resulted in severe hip/leg pain, which greatly reduced my ability to walk. Being very obese, I did not need any decreased mobility. After a period of experimenting based on my own research, not the doctor's, I have arrived at a dosage level that prevents angina and lowers my cholesterol to a level my doctor is happy with. I am now taking 6 x 20 tablets p/wk. That is not a big decrease, but it seems to be enough to almost completely stop the intense pain I was suffering. I have investigated/experimented with the reduced dosage extensively and it is the 'happy medium.' For me, it is a good drug, if used at the right level. Without it completely, I know I would be experiencing heart/circulation problems. Prior to me making my own decisions about dosage level, my previous doctor told me that I would need a hip replacement. I have since changed doctors and am happy with the adjusted dose."

• Hip...
• December 15, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "My prescribed dosage, which I stuck with for 5 years until I reduced it, was 1 x 20 mg per day. This eventually resulted in severe hip/leg pain, which greatly reduced my ability to walk. Being very obese, I did not need any decreased mobility. After a period of experimenting based on my own research, not the doctor's, I have arrived at a dosage level that prevents angina and lowers my cholesterol to a level my doctor is happy with. I am now taking 6 x 20 tablets p/wk. That is not a big decrease, but it seems to be enough to almost completely stop the intense pain I was suffering. I have investigated/experimented with the reduced dosage extensively and it is the 'happy medium.' For me, it is a good drug, if used at the right level. Without it completely, I know I would be experiencing heart/circulation problems. Prior to me making my own decisions about dosage level, my previous doctor told me that I would need a hip replacement. I have since changed doctors and am happy with the adjusted dose."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Oh my goodness! I have gone from being a very active 59-year-old to an almost crippled 90-year-old. Within days of taking this medication, I could hardly walk. That’s no exaggeration. My knees were completely broken. I hobbled. The doctor fobbed me off and said it’s osteoarthritis. I got knee braces to help, but it just got worse. My quality of life shattered. My darling sister asked me if I had changed medication, and I said yes, just 10 mg of rosuvastatin. So she read the reviews on here and oh my goodness! I stopped taking them just 3 days ago, and already I can walk! The muscles in my legs are still weak, but 1000 times better... Please, if you are having these side effects, don’t take it."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Crestor was the worst medication for me. I developed hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, trouble moving around, tired, not sleeping, can't lay flat, and to top it off, it landed me in the ER with a swollen throat, trouble breathing, and a swollen neck. Let me not forget eye twitch. Such major bad reactions. Been off of it one day after being treated with IV and oral steroids. 85% better after one day. Looking forward to tomorrow."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Crestor was the worst medication for me. I developed hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, trouble moving around, tired, not sleeping, can't lay flat, and to top it off, it landed me in the ER with a swollen throat, trouble breathing, and a swollen neck. Let me not forget eye twitch. Such major bad reactions. Been off of it one day after being treated with IV and oral steroids. 85% better after one day. Looking forward to tomorrow."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "Crestor was the worst medication for me. I developed hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, trouble moving around, tired, not sleeping, can't lay flat, and to top it off, it landed me in the ER with a swollen throat, trouble breathing, and a swollen neck. Let me not forget eye twitch. Such major bad reactions. Been off of it one day after being treated with IV and oral steroids. 85% better after one day. Looking forward to tomorrow."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Absolutely horrible drug. Took Crestor (5 mg) for around 3 months until I figured out it was poisoning me. Started in the feet with nerve pain and edema. Moved into lower back and legs. Aggravated sciatica in my lower back and neck. Two weeks of torture. Quit 5 days ago, noticed some improvements to my lower back and feet. Neck is still bad. May take days to weeks to get better. Praying no long-term damage. Also experienced shoulder pain, high blood pressure, and headaches. Told my Dr I would rather take my chances."

• Jo ...
• May 11, 2022

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "For decades, my cholesterol numbers have been high, but because the “good” cholesterol was always much higher, I was never put on any drugs. I always had creative and stressful work, requiring long hours. I also developed HBP, although I don’t drink coffee, only have a recreational drink from time to time, and have never smoked. During an unrelated illness, my BP was high, and so I was started on metoprolol. It did not work well with me at all, so my primary changed it to the lowest dose of carvedilol. My cardiologist increased it. Then he put me on a combination of Zetia (10 mg) and Crestor (5 mg). I can tell you that the combination of all three has put me in hell: joint pain, muscular pain, fogginess, forgetfulness, lethargy, and UTIs. As I write this, I am in bed, not because of a sudden and extreme pain in my right leg last night, muscle weakness, and the most severe cramps ever. The doc will not take me off the meds as they brought the numbers down. But I will."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

For High Cholesterol "After taking Crestor generic, I had trouble sitting down and standing up, my muscles in my legs and shoulders are so weak and painful I have trouble entering a car and exiting a car. I am 84 years old and don’t expect to get any better."

• cjg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

Rosuvastatin for High Cholesterol "2nd time on Crestor. Stopped taking the first time due to leg pain. Tried it again and had side effects of gained weight, my GERD increased, had trouble getting my legs to move, nightmares, intermittent blurred vision, increased left hip pain, so I had to curl my leg up in bed instead of leaving it straight, which caused pain. I had a hard time driving due to blurry vision. Crestor is an expensive medicine. Because the HDL cholesterol numbers are decreased, well, I don't know if we know enough about cholesterol to know how much it helps. Could not stay on it long enough to see if it helped the HDL."