Absorption
In clinical pharmacology studies in man, peak plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin were reached 3 to 5 hours following oral dosing. Both C
max and AUC increased in approximate proportion to rosuvastatin dose. The absolute bioavailability of rosuvastatin is approximately 20%.
Administration of rosuvastatin with food did not affect the AUC of rosuvastatin.
The AUC of rosuvastatin does not differ following evening or morning drug administration.
Distribution
Mean volume of distribution at steady-state of rosuvastatin is approximately 134 liters. Rosuvastatin is 88% bound to plasma proteins, mostly albumin. This binding is reversible and independent of plasma concentrations.
Elimination
Rosuvastatin is primarily eliminated by excretion in the feces. The elimination half-life of rosuvastatin is approximately 19 hours.
Metabolism
Rosuvastatin is not extensively metabolized; approximately 10% of a radiolabeled dose is recovered as metabolite. The major metabolite is N-desmethyl rosuvastatin, which is formed principally by cytochrome P450 \ 2C9, and
in vitro studies have demonstrated that N-desmethyl rosuvastatin has approximately one-sixth to one-half the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity of the parent compound. Overall, greater than 90% of active plasma HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity is accounted for by the parent compound.
Excretion
Following oral administration, rosuvastatin and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the feces (90%). After an intravenous dose, approximately 28% of total body clearance was via the renal route, and 72% by the hepatic route.
Specific Populations
Racial or Ethnic Groups
A population pharmacokinetic analysis revealed no clinically relevant differences in pharmacokinetics among Caucasian, Hispanic, and Black or Afro-Caribbean groups. However, pharmacokinetic studies, including one conducted in the U.S., have demonstrated an approximate 2-fold elevation in median exposure (AUC and C
max) in Asian subjects when compared with a Caucasian control group.
Male and Female Patients
There were no differences in plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin between men and women.
Pediatric Patients
In a population pharmacokinetic analysis of two pediatric trials involving patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia 10 to 17 years of age and 8 to 17 years of age, respectively, rosuvastatin exposure appeared comparable to or lower than rosuvastatin exposure in adult patients.
Geriatric Patients
There were no differences in plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin between the nonelderly and elderly populations (age ≥65 years).
Patients with Renal Impairment
Mild to moderate renal impairment (CL
cr ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m
2) had no influence on plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin. However, plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin increased to a clinically significant extent (about 3-fold) in patients with severe renal impairment (CL
cr <30 mL/min/1.73 m
2) not receiving hemodialysis compared with healthy subjects (CL
cr >80 mL/min/1.73 m
2).
Hemodialysis
Steady-state plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin in patients on chronic hemodialysis were approximately 50% greater compared with healthy volunteer subjects with normal renal function.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment
In patients with chronic alcohol liver disease, plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin were modestly increased.
In patients with Child-Pugh A disease, C
max and AUC were increased by 60% and 5%, respectively, as compared with patients with normal liver function. In patients with Child-Pugh B disease, C
max and AUC were increased 100% and 21%, respectively, compared with patients with normal liver function.