Crestor

About Crestor

Crestor® is a member of the statin family of drugs and is used to treat high cholesterol and other related conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Produced by Astra Zeneca, it was approved by the FDA in 2003 and has been used by over 4 million people. Like other drugs in the statin family, Crestor® is only prescribed when the patient agrees to a low-cholesterol diet and exercise plan.

While Crestor® helps many people control their cholesterol levels, it is not without side effects. While some side effects will cease when the patient stops taking the drug, this is not always the case. In particular, there have been concerns that Crestor® causes "life-threatening muscle damage and kidney failure." Patients who take Crestor® may also be at risk of developing cardiomyopathy. 

Patients who experience muscle damage while taking Crestor® may experience complications such as rhabdomyolysis. Symptoms of the muscle damage include: muscle pain, muscle tenderness and muscle weakness. Patients should be especially cautious if they experience these symptoms combined with a fever or tiredness. People who experience kidney problems may notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain or persistent nausea and vomiting.

Caridomyopathy is a specific type of muscle damage that targets the heart muscle. Patients who develop cardiomyopathy may experience complications including an "arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death or both." Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are similar to the symptoms of other heart conditions including chest pain. Unlike some side effects that will stop when the patient stops taking the medication, these side effects may be permanent and require long-term medical treatment. 

Side Effects & Symptoms

Helpful Information