Q:  What is Crestor?

A:  Crestor, from the generic rosuvastatin calcium, is a brand known as statin drug that reduces “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, and enhances “good” cholesterol in the blood.  Crestor is developed and produced by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and was granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration or US-FDA in 2003.

Q:  Is there any special way of taking Crestor?

A:  Taking Crestor is a part of a medication program that should be combined with low-fat diet and workout. Diet should be that of a standard lipid-reducing one and the workout should be done before taking Crestor and continue with this schedule of activities during the treatment program.

Crestor is taken as a single dose any time of the day, with or without food. With the dosage ranges from 5 to 40 mg every day, one should start taking the lowest dose and avoid the 40 mg. When you have to change your dose of Crestor, your lipid levels must be checked with two to four weeks and your dose will be adjusted when needed.

Q:  Is there any recent updates about Crestor?

A:  FDA gave a warning that there were reports of severe muscle damage in patients who were taking Crestor and any statin drugs. There seemed to have no higher risks with Crestor compared with other statin drugs in the market. Thus, following the warning made by FDA, the labeling for Crestor was modified to emphasize the vital information about the safe use of Crestor.

Furthermore, with the warning was a report of a study that showed that the quantity of the drug in the blood of a different cluster of Asian patients who took Crestor was two times higher than for the Caucasian patients in the study. The labeling for Crestor was recommended a lower beginning dose of 5 mg for the Asian patients.

There were also reports of kidney failures in patients who were being treated with Crestor and other statin drugs. But on this issue, FDA did not have sufficient proof to conclude that kidney damage was a direct result of taking Crestor.

Q:  Who should not take Crestor?

A:  If you have any liver problem or consistently have high liver enzymes, pregnant or planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding, or have some allergy to Crestor or any of its components, must not take Crestor.

If you are pregnant, discontinue taking Crestor and consult your doctor right away.

Q:  Is there any severe health risks related with Crestor?

A:  Crestor can cause uncommon but adverse side effects which include damage in muscles, kidney and liver failures. Other side effects are muscle pain, weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea.

Q:  What should I tell my doctor before he/she prescribes Crestor as part of my treatment program?

A:  Before taking Crestor, inform your doctor about all known medical conditions that you have, including if you are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver and kidney problems, or if you are drinking alcohol.

Q:  What should I do if I feel I have been injured as a result of taking Crestor?

A:  If you or any of your loved one are experiencing any symptom or any unusual medical conditions as a result of taking Crestor, consult immediately with your doctor. Then, you can meet and discuss with an experienced lawyer about your condition and to safeguard your right to a legal solution for any injury caused by taking Crestor.