Crestor Tablet Strengths

Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a medication used to treat abnormal levels of blood fats. Rosuvastatin lowers total blood cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol); it increases HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Correcting abnormal levels of blood fats (lipids) is a therapeutic measure to slow the progression of atherosclerosis--the deposition of fatty plaques in the arteries. Slowing atherosclerosis may decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke.

5 Milligram Tablets

The 5mg tablet of rosuvastatin is the lowest dosage available. The brand name form is a small golden tablet with the word Crestor and the number 5 stamped into the surface. A rosuvastatin dose of 5mg per day is commonly used for children with genetic cholesterol disorders, adults of Asian descent, people with kidney disease and those taking other prescription medications that may interact with rosuvastatin.

10 Milligram Tablets

Ten milligrams is often the starting daily dose for rosuvastatin. If you are beginning treatment with rosuvastatin, your doctor will probably recheck your blood lipid levels within two to four weeks to determine if your dose is adequate. The brand name form of rosuvastatin is a round pink tablet with the word Crestor and the number 10 stamped into the surface.

20 Milligram Tablets

A 20mg tablet of rosuvastatin is also available. The brand-name form is a round pink tablet much like the 10mg tablet, with the exception that the number 20 is stamped into the surface. Many people are on a once daily, 20mg dose of rosuvastatin. In a 2006 research article published in "The American Heart Journal," Dr. Christie Ballantyne and her colleagues concluded that 10mg to 20mg per day of rosuvastatin is effective in helping people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease achieve normalization of their blood lipids.

40 Milligram Tablets

Forty milligram tablets are the maximum dosage form available for rosuvastatin. This dosage is reserved for people who have not responded to 20mg per day dosing. The brand-name form of the drug is a pink oval with the word Crestor and the number 40 stamped into the surface. High-dose rosuvastatin treatment is associated with an increased risk for muscular side effects ranging from muscle aches to tissue breakdown.