Zuvamor: Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions

What is Zuvamor?

Zuvamor is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient rosuvastatin. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

 Zuvamor is used to treat high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in adults, as well as to prevent cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Uses and Benefits

Zuvamor is used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events in patients who have high cholesterol levels or other risk factors for heart disease. It works by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver and increasing the uptake and breakdown of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, Zuvamor has been shown to have other potential benefits. Studies have suggested that it may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as potential benefits for patients with certain types of cancer.

How it works

Zuvamor belongs to a class of drugs called statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Zuvamor works by blocking enzymes in your liver that make cholesterol. This lowers your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It also raises your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

How to take Zuvamor

Dosage for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), hypertriglyceridemia, and type III hyperlipoproteinemia

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

•          Typical dosage: 5–40 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children for this purpose. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for heterozygous high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

•          Typical dosage: 5–40 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

•          Typical dosage: 5–20 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 8–9 years)

•          Typical dosage: 5–10 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 0–7 years)

This medication has not been studied in young children for this purpose. It should not be used in children younger than 8 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for homozygous high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

•          Typical starting dosage: 20 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 7–17 years)

•          Typical dosage: 20 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 0–6 years)

This medication has not been studied in young children for this purpose. It should not be used in children younger than 7 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for heart disease prevention

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

•          Typical dosage: 5–40 mg once daily.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication has not been studied in children for this purpose. It should not be used in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special dosage considerations

For people of Asian descent: Your body may process this drug differently. This may lead to increased levels of this drug in your blood. Your doctor will likely give you a starting dosage of 5 mg once daily.

For people with kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects. Your doctor will likely give you a starting dosage of 5 mg daily. Your doctor may later increase your dosage to 10 mg daily.

Zuvamor side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with the use of Zuvamor include:

•          headache

•          pain in the abdomen (stomach area)

•          muscle pain

•          nausea

•          weakness

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call for emergency services if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

•          Severe muscle problems. Symptoms can include:

o          unexplained or unusual muscle pain

o          weakness

o          fever

•          Liver problems. Symptoms can include:

o          unexplained or unusual weakness

o          decrease in appetite

o          pain in the abdomen (stomach area)

o          dark-colored urine

o          yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes

Zuvamor may interact with other medications

Zuvamor oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with Zuvamor are listed below.

Acid-reducing drugs

When taken with Zuvamor, certain antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium can decrease the amount of Zuvamor in your blood. This makes it less effective, and it won’t work as well to treat your condition. These drugs should be taken at least 2 hours after taking Zuvamor. Examples of these drugs include:

•          aluminum hydroxide

•          magnesium hydroxide

Blood thinner

Warfarin is used to thin the blood. Taking this drug with Zuvamor can increase your international normalized ratio (INR). This is a measure of how quickly your blood clots. Your INR may need to be measured more often when you start taking Zuvamor or if your doctor changes your dosage.

Cholesterol drugs

When taken with Zuvamor, some other drugs used to treat high cholesterol can increase the levels of Zuvamor in your blood. This raises your risk of muscle problems. Before taking these drugs, make sure your doctor knows that you take Zuvamor. Examples of these drugs include:

•          niacin

•          gemfibrozil

•          fenofibrate

HIV drugs

When taken with Zuvamor, certain drugs used to treat HIV can increase levels of Zuvamor in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from Zuvamor. These side effects include muscle problems such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness.

Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

•          atazanavir

•          lopinavir

•          nelfinavir

•          ritonavir

Hepatitis C drugs

When taken with Zuvamor, certain drugs used to treat hepatitis C can increase levels of Zuvamor in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from Zuvamor. These side effects include muscle problems such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness.

Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

•          elbasvir/grazoprevir

Immune suppression drug

Cyclosporine is used to decrease the strength of the immune system. Using this drug with Zuvamor can increase levels of Zuvamor in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from Zuvamor. These side effects include muscle problems such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness.

Gout drug

Colchicine is used to treat gout flares. Using this drug with Zuvamor can increase your risk of side effects such as muscle pain and rhabdomyolysis.

Cancer drugs

Darolutamide is used to treat prostate cancer. Using this drug with Zuvamor can increase the levels of Zuvamor in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from Zuvamor. These side effects include muscle problems such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness.

Regorafenib is used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum. Using this drug with Zuvamor can increase the levels of Zuvamor in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from Zuvamor. These side effects include muscle problems such as muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Zuvamor warnings

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

•          rash

•          hives

•          swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue

•          trouble breathing

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of liver problems from Zuvamor. Tell your doctor if you drink more than two glasses of alcohol per day. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have active liver disease or a history of liver problems.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with liver problems: You are at higher risk of severe muscle problems from taking this drug. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with kidney problems: You are at higher risk of severe muscle problems from taking this drug. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.