CRESTOR is indicated
As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, ApoB, non-HDL-C, and TG levels and to increase HDL-C in crestor side effects patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia.
The FDA is providing up-to-date CRESTOR WARNING information about the risk of serious muscle damage - called rhabdomyolysis -- in patients taking Crestor as well as similar drugs, called statins.similar drugs, called statins. This is a well-known, rare side effect of all statins, it says.
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which muscle cells break down. This floods the blood with muscle proteins, sometimes leading to fatal kidney failure.
In June 2004, the FDA advised doctors to be careful about how they prescribe Crestor.careful about CRESTOR WARNING how they prescribe Crestor. And in January 2005, Crestor's manufacturer, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, reported that a patient died while taking Crestor.patient died while taking Crestor.
The FDA says extensive review of the large amount of available data indicates that patients taking recommended doses of Crestor have a similar risk of rhabdomyolysis as patients taking other statin drugs. Other available statins include Lipitor, Pravachol, and Zocor.
Crestor's manufacturer is also reminding doctors that they should consider using lower starting CRESTOR WARNING doses of Crestor in some individuals. AstraZeneca today revised the package insert to re-emphasize these recommendations.
Data show that certain people may have higher drug levels and therefore be at greater risk for muscle injury due to Crestor. The drug's new label recommends that those at higher risk start with a dose of only 5 mg. The higher-risk groups include:
Asian-Americans
People taking the CRESTOR WARNING immune suppressing drug cyclosporine, such as organ transplant patients
Patients with severe kidney failure
Kidney failure of various types has also been reported in patients treated with Crestor, as well as other statins.
However, the FDA says it's difficult to establish the exact association between kidney failure and statins. People who often need statins to lower their cholesterol include patients with diabetes, high blood CRESTOR WARNING pressure, heart disease, and heart failure. These same people are already at a higher risk of developing kidney failure.
The most serious adverse health consequence that has been associated with Crestor use is the risk of developing the serious and fatal muscle disease called rhabdomyolysis. Crestor warning information shows that Crestor use increases a patient's risk of developing this disease which, if left untreated can lead to acute renal failure (kidney failure) and death. Rhabdomyolysis causes muscles to atrophy (break down) and releases harmful substances into the blood stream.
If you are taking this medication, the Crestor warning CRESTOR WARNING statements caution users to watch for the symptoms of this fatal Crestor side effect. The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fever, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, malaise and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms as outlined by the Crestor warning, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
If you or a loved one is taking Crestor it is important to be aware of the potential adverse side effects outlined in Crestor warning statements. If you have been injured as a result of taking Crestor, you may wish to speak to a qualified legal professional who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a personal injury case to recover your losses.
