NHS warns patients on rosuvastatin to stop and seek help for serious side effects like muscle pain, jaundice, or breathing issues.

The NHS has advised people on rosuvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering statin, to stop taking it and seek medical help immediately if they experience serious side effects such as unexplained muscle pain, jaundice, severe stomach pain, persistent cough with shortness of breath, skin rashes with pink-red blotches, or symptoms like weakness, double vision, or difficulty swallowing. These rare but serious issues may signal muscle breakdown, liver or kidney damage, pancreatitis, lung disease, or myasthenia gravis. While common side effects like nausea and headaches occur more frequently, the NHS recommends continuing the medication unless advised otherwise, with doctors potentially switching patients to an alternative statin. Rosuvastatin is prescribed to reduce heart attack and stroke risk, particularly in those with diabetes, kidney disease, or a family history of heart conditions. It is available only by prescription.