An update on the benefits and risks of rosuvastatin therapy.

Rosuvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to the greatest extent of all currently marketed statins. Prospective, randomized studies demonstrate the ability of rosuvastatin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and stabilize atherosclerosis. However, the efficacy of rosuvastatin in patient subpopulations (eg, patients with chronic kidney disease, women, ethnic subgroups) is not well described in the literature. To provide an updated, comprehensive review of the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin, a literature search of PubMed was conducted using statins as a major topic, MESH topic, or a word in the title (including rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin). Publications selected for inclusion in this review were published from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013, and provide new information pertaining to the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin.