More Crestor Side Effects Found

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/9/crestor_effects.htm

 

More Crestor Side Effects Found

 

 

Seems Crestor (Rosuvastatin) has taken its rightful place under the

scrutinizing microscope. That's because the powerful

cholesterol-lowering statin drug was found to cause more side effects

than any other statin available.

 

Specifically, researchers found Crestor induced markedly more cases of

rhabdomyolysis -- a serious muscle disorder -- and kidney problems

than rivals Zocor, Pravachol or Lipitor. In fact, patients taking

Crestor suffered six times the number of side effects than those using

Lipitor.

 

But this furor isn't the first time Crestor, launched by AstraZeneca,

has hit a few road bumps.

 

Other Strikes Against Crestor

 

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In 2004, the advocacy group Public Citizen raised concerns that

Crestor was linked to rhabdomyolysis (a serious muscle disorder) and

to a higher rate of kidney damage; the group called for the drug to be

pulled from the market.

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In that same year, Crestor was one of several drugs bashed by

FDA scientist David Graham, who said the drug merited further scrutiny.

 

So what does AztraZeneca have to say about the negative publicity? The

company disputed the study, claiming Crestor's safety profile is equal

with other statins on the market and is a highly effective

cholesterol-lowering therapy.

 

Circulation May 23, 2005 (Free Full-Text Article)

 

USA Today May 24, 2005.

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

First of all, it is important to understand that cholesterol is not

the cause of heart disease and no drug will ever change that. If you

find this hard to believe, then please read Dr. Rosedale's outstanding

article that ran in May 2005.

 

If you go back another 12 weeks, you will find a warning about Crestor

issued by Public Citizen that details many of the concerns in this report.

 

How the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could possibly have made

the decision that Crestor did not increase the risk of muscle damage

any more than other cholesterol-lowering drugs, when they reviewed the

same data that not one, but two, different research groups used to

determine otherwise, is clear evidence of the influence of further FDA

conflict of interest. The nearly $1 billion that Crestor sales amount

to each year provides plenty of potential to influence purchasing.

 

Not only would you be better off with Crestor off the market, but

statins of any kind, whether or not they are safer than Crestor, are

rarely needed to control high blood cholesterol anyway.

 

The best way to treat high cholesterol isn't with a drug that could

potentially do great harm (and ALL statins are risky, not just

Crestor). Two primary strategies that work well over 99 percent of the

time, if properly implemented, are:

 

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Daily cardiovascular exercise.

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A low-grain, low-sugar diet (as elevated insulin levels -- often

caused by diets high in grains and sugar -- are a primary driving

force behind high cholesterol).

 

Related Articles:

 

Crestor and Other Statins: Are They Really Worth the Risk?

 

The Truth About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs (Statins), Cholesterol

and Health

 

USA Today Exposes Conflicts of Interest in FDA Drug Approvals