Crestor is a brand-name drug marketed by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca that was approved in 2003 by the FDA to treat hypercholesterolemia and related conditions, in addition to preventing cardiovascular disease. The active ingredient in Crestor is rosuvastatin calcium, which is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent and a member of the statin drug class, according to RxList.com. Drugs.com notes that Crestor is offered in four dosages: 5 mg round yellow tablets, 10 mg round pink tablets, 20 mg round pink tablets and 40 mg pink oval tablets (Reference 3). In addition to the primary active ingredient of rosuvastatin, Crestor contains many nonmedicinal ingredients also.
Rosuvastatin Calcium
According to DrugLib.com, rosuvastatin calcium is an anti-lipemic agent and a competitive HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor effective in reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore, it is used to treat high blood cholesterol levels and to restore proper LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios. A further benefit is thought to be prevention of cardiovascular disease through inhibition of “clogged arteries.” Rosuvastatin calcium was originally formulated by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi.
Nonmedicinal Binders and Fillers
According to Daily Med, Crestor contains four nonmedicinal ingredients that can generally be called fillers or binders, and they are: microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate and dibasic sodium phosphate. Binders keep the ingredients together and ensure that tablets can be formed under the required pressures of the compounding process. Binders are usually starches, sugars, or cellulose. The cellulose, lactose and sodium molecules also act as fillers, which fill out the size of a tablet, making it practical for manufacturing and convenient for the consumer to handle and consume, according to Chemie.de. Generally, fillers are inert, compatible with other ingredients, water soluble, cheap and usually tasteless.
Nonmedicinal Dispenser
According to Chemie.de, Crestor contains crospovidone, which acts as a filler and dispersing agent for the active ingredient, rosuvastatin calcium. Specifically, crospovidone is a white powder readily soluble in water and used as a dispersing and suspending/emulsifying agent in medicinal tablets.
Nonmedicinal Lubricants and Mixers
Magnesium stearate is another nonmedicinal ingredient in Crestor, and it acts as a lubricant and stabilizer in the compounding process of pharmaceutical pills. Magnesium stearate combines with another ingredient, triacetin, to help mix the ingredients evenly, according to Chemie.de. Triacetin is a simple fat that is a common food additive and sometimes also used as a solvent. In general, lubricants improve the flow of the powdered ingredients through production and help prevent them from sticking to equipment.
Coloring Agents
Crestor tablets contain one of two possible coloring agents to help distinguish the different dosages, in addition to the different shape. According to Daily Med, yellow ferric oxide is used in the 5 mg tablets, while red ferric oxide is used for the 10, 20 and 40 mg tablets. Titanium dioxide is another ingredient used for coloring because of its ability to provide brightness and opacity to many pharmaceutical products.
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