Crestor Defined

Crestor, under the generic drugs rosuvastatin, is a statin drug, a medicine that reduces “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, while it also enhances the “good” cholesterol in the blood.  Crestor is developed and produced by Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and was given approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2003.

Crestor as treatment

Crestor is just a part of a medication program that should combine low-fat diet and workout. Diet should be the standard lipid-reducing one and a workout before taking Crestor and should continue these activities while on treatment period.

The recommended dosage is one tablet to be taken any time of the day, with or without food. The available dose is from 5 mg to 40 mg but if you are a starter, you should begin with the lowest dose which is 5 mg and do not take the 40 mg. After taking Crestor, your lipid levels should be checked within 2 to 4 weeks and your dosage will be adjusted when needed.

FDA Alert on Crestor

US FDA gave a warning alert in March 2005, informing that severe damage on muscles has been reported to occur in patients taking Crestor and other statin drugs. Although reports said that there was little risk with Crestor compared to other statin drugs available in the market. Labeling for Crestor was modified to emphasize vital information on the safe use of Crestor, to lower the risks for the safe use of Crestor, particularly with the dosage of 40 mg.

After the alert was given, another study came out showing that the quantity of the drug in the blood of a cluster of Asian patients, who were taking Crestor, was two times higher compared to Caucasian patients in the study. The labeling for Crestor recommends also that patients should take the lower dose which is 5 mg for Asian patients.

Kidney failure was also reported in patients who were taking Crestor and other statin drugs. FDA has insufficient proof to conclude that kidney damage was a direct result of Crestor.

Who should not take Crestor?

Avoid Crestor if you:

• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant because Crestor may hurt your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, discontinue taking the Crestor and see your doctor right away.
• Are breastfeeding, although, it is still not known if Crestor can pass into breast milk and hurt your baby. Choose to take Crestor or to breastfeed, but not doing both.
• Are suffering from liver problems or consistently high in liver enzymes.
• Have any allergy to Crestor or any of its components or ingredients.

Take note that Crestor was not tested in children.

Health Risks from Crestor

Crestor can cause uncommon but adverse side effects which include:

• Damage in Muscles which can later result in kidney failure. Crestor should be taken with utmost caution, especially if you have some kidney problems, old age, and hypothyroidism because of its high risks of muscle damage.  Consult with your doctor immediately if you develop unexplained muscle pains, tenderness, or weakness while taking Crestor, especially if these signs are combined with fever or malaise.
• Damage in Liver. Your doctor may require you to undergo blood tests to check the condition of your liver before starting Crestor and while you are taking it. Crestor should be taken with care if you have a history of liver problems or drink a considerable amount of alcohol.

Other side effects of Crestor are as follows:

• Weakness
• Muscle pains
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Nausea

If you are taking Crestor or any other statin drugs and develop symptoms of muscle pain and weakness, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and fever, you must consult with your doctor right away.

What should I tell my Doctor?

Before taking Crestor, you should discuss with your doctor about all the medical conditions that you have, including:

• Are breastfeeding
• Pregnant or planning to be pregnant
• Having some liver and kidney problems
• Drinking alcohol

Can other medicines or food affect Crestor?

Crestor and some medicines can interact with one another. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you have taken, including prescription or non-prescription medicines, herbal supplements, and vitamins.

Remember to tell your doctor if you are taking:

• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Gemfibrozil  (lopid)
• Cyclosporine (Generaf, neural, sandimmune)
• Medicines that may reduce the level of your body’s steroid hormones which include ketoconazole (nizoral), spironolactone (aldactone) and  cimetidine (Tagamet), aluminum and magnesium hydroxide combined with antacids like Maalox

Crestor: Getting Legal Help

Generally, medications have side effects and so the drug manufacturer has the obligation to produce safe products and to inform the medical community and the general public of the risks related to its drugs.  If the manufacturers fail to do this, they can be held legally liable if the patients are injured as a consequence of insufficient warnings or the unreasonable detrimental nature of the drug, under the legal theory known as “product liability.”

If you or any of your loved ones have suffered any adverse symptoms related to the use of Crestor, you must contact your doctor. Then, contact and discuss with a reliable and experienced lawyer regarding legal options to safeguard your rights to a legal remedy for any injury sustained by the use of Crestor.