Rosuvastatin calcium
[CAS 147098-20-2]

Identification

• Classification: API >> Circulatory system medication >> Regulating blood lipids
• Name: Rosuvastatin calcium
• Synonyms: 7-{4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl}-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid
• Molecular Formula: 2(C₂₂H₂₇FN₃O₆S).Ca
• Molecular Weight: 1001.14
• CAS Registry Number: 147098-20-2
• EC Number: 627-028-1
• SMILES: CC(C1=NC(=NC(=C1/C=C/[C@@H](O)C[C@@H](O)CC(=O)[O-])C2=CC=C(C=C2)F)N(S(=O)(=O)C)C)C.CC(C1=NC(=NC(=C1/C=C/[C@@H](O)C[C@@H](O)CC(=O)[O-])C2=CC=C(C=C2)F)N(S(=O)(=O)C)C)C.[Ca+2]

Properties

• Melting point: 122 $degree$C
• Solubility: Soluble 100 mM in DMSO (Expl.)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS08;GHS09 Danger
• Risk Statements: H350-H360-H370-H372-H410
• Safety Statements: P203-P260-P264-P270-P273-P280-P308+P316-P318-P319-P321-P391-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1B	H360
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	1	H372
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	1	H370
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	1B	H350
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Reproductive toxicity	Lact.	-	H362
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	2	H373
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1A	H360
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	2	H351

Discovery and Applications

Rosuvastatin calcium is the calcium salt form of rosuvastatin, a synthetic lipid-lowering drug belonging to the statin class (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It is widely used to reduce elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides in the blood, and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). By lowering circulating LDL-C, it helps reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

The active compound, rosuvastatin, was developed through structure-based drug design aimed at creating a potent and selective inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the key rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and essential step in the endogenous production of cholesterol. By inhibiting this pathway, rosuvastatin reduces hepatic cholesterol synthesis, which in turn upregulates LDL receptors in the liver and enhances clearance of LDL particles from the bloodstream.

Structurally, rosuvastatin contains a heptanoic acid side chain that mimics the natural substrate of HMG-CoA reductase, allowing it to bind competitively to the enzyme’s active site. It also contains a polar sulfonamide-containing heterocyclic system, which increases binding affinity and contributes to its high potency compared with earlier statins. The calcium salt form, rosuvastatin calcium, improves the compound’s solid-state stability and is the form commonly used in pharmaceutical tablets.

The development of rosuvastatin was part of efforts to produce statins with greater potency and longer duration of action. It was designed using knowledge of enzyme–inhibitor interactions obtained from crystallographic studies of HMG-CoA reductase. Modifications to the statin scaffold increased hydrophilicity relative to some earlier statins, which influences its pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution.

Rosuvastatin calcium is administered orally and is absorbed into the systemic circulation, where it is taken up primarily by the liver, the main site of cholesterol synthesis. It undergoes limited metabolism compared with some other statins, with cytochrome P450 enzymes playing a relatively minor role in its biotransformation. This contributes to fewer drug–drug interactions in certain clinical settings. The drug is eliminated through both hepatic and renal pathways.

Clinically, rosuvastatin calcium is used in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, and familial hypercholesterolemia. It is also used for prevention of cardiovascular events in patients at increased risk due to factors such as diabetes, hypertension, or established cardiovascular disease. Treatment is typically long-term and is often combined with lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and exercise.

The pharmacological effect of rosuvastatin is dose-dependent and is reflected in significant reductions in LDL-C levels. It is considered one of the most potent statins in clinical use, capable of achieving substantial lipid-lowering effects at relatively low doses. This potency is associated with its strong binding affinity for HMG-CoA reductase.

Adverse effects of rosuvastatin calcium are generally similar to those of other statins and may include muscle-related symptoms, elevated liver enzymes, and, in rare cases, more serious muscle toxicity. These effects are related to its mechanism of action on cholesterol biosynthesis and require clinical monitoring during therapy.

Overall, rosuvastatin calcium is a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor developed for the management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Its discovery reflects advances in rational drug design targeting cholesterol biosynthesis, and its clinical use represents a major component of modern lipid-lowering therapy aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk.

References

2026. β-Sitosterol ameliorates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis by targeting the RAC1/mTOR/TFEB axis thus activating lipophagy-lysosomal pathway. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica.
DOI: 10.1038/s41401-025-01702-8

2025. Comparative efficacy and choice of lipid-lowering drugs for cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.09.037

2001. Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of rosuvastatin, a new 3-hydroxy- 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. The American Journal of Cardiology.
DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(01)01454-0