Rosuvastatin side effects in females
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Rosuvastatin Side Effects in Females
Dizziness and Pruritus
Rosuvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin for managing cholesterol levels, has been associated with several side effects in females. One notable case involved a 48-year-old woman who developed dizziness and pruritus within two weeks of starting rosuvastatin. Upon discontinuation of the medication, the dizziness resolved immediately, and the pruritus subsided over the following two weeks. This suggests that dizziness and pruritus are potential side effects of rosuvastatin in females, and these symptoms should be monitored closely.
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury
In rare cases, rosuvastatin can lead to severe muscle damage known as rhabdomyolysis, which can subsequently cause acute kidney injury. This was observed in a 13-year-old female with ROHHAD syndrome who developed these conditions two weeks after switching from lovastatin to rosuvastatin. Although this is an isolated case, it highlights the importance of monitoring for severe muscle-related side effects, especially in patients with complex medical histories.
Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury (CIAKI)
Female patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher risk of developing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). However, short-term rosuvastatin therapy has been shown to reduce this risk significantly. In a subgroup analysis of the TRACK-D study, rosuvastatin treatment lowered the incidence of CIAKI in females from 5.3% to 2.1%. This indicates that while rosuvastatin can have protective effects against CIAKI in high-risk female patients, the risk of kidney injury remains a concern and should be managed carefully.
Pharmacokinetics and Hormonal Interactions
The pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin can be influenced by gender. Studies have shown that co-administration of rosuvastatin with oral contraceptives in healthy women does not decrease the plasma concentrations of the contraceptives, ensuring that their efficacy is not compromised. Additionally, small differences in pharmacokinetic characteristics between male and female subjects have been observed, suggesting that gender-specific factors may influence the drug's metabolism and effects.
Conclusion
Rosuvastatin is generally effective in managing cholesterol levels but can cause side effects such as dizziness, pruritus, and, in rare cases, severe muscle damage leading to acute kidney injury in females. It also interacts with oral contraceptives without reducing their efficacy. Monitoring and managing these side effects are crucial, especially in high-risk female patients.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic