Crestor during Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

by on April 20, 2012

Crestor (rosuvastatin) are Category X drugs in relation to pregnancy, indicating that they should not be taken by pregnant women. It is best to avoid using Crestor for the duration of the pregnancy and resume them again after the baby has been born.

There are many side effects of Crestor, and it is a category of drugs that are known to be harmful to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and their babies. These drugs have a very high chance of causing birth defects if they are taken during pregnancy. Doctors recommend that women who become pregnant while taking Crestor stop taking the drug as soon as they find out they are pregnant and resume taking it after the baby is born.

Other major side effects of Crestor include kidney failure, liver disease and severe muscle pain. These side effects are rare, but doctors usually monitor the health of each patient's liver while they are taking Crestor.

Less severe side effects of Crestor include diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation and sore throat. These effects usually occur shortly after taking the first dose of Crestor and lessen with time. Patients should notify their doctor if they experience severe side effects or if the side effects don't go away after a couple of weeks.

No studies have been done in relation to Crestor use during breastfeeding, but in instances where similar statins were tested it was found that the drug was passed into bresst milk.  The manufacturer therefore advises that women who are breastfeeding avoid Crestor.

Who Should Avoid Taking Crestor?

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or could become pregnant should avoid taking Crestor. People with liver disease should also avoid the drug because it may worsen their condition. People who are allergic to Crestor or any of the ingredients in Crestor should avoid taking it and talk to their doctor about other medications.