Crestor
Patients taking the cholesterol drug Crestor may be at risk of a number of side effects, including diabetes, cardiomyopathy or kidney problems. Crestor is part of a class of drugs known as statins that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease.
According to a 2010 study published in The Lancet, the use of Crestor or other statins has been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes. In response to these findings about the link between Crestor and diabetes, the Food and Drug Administration ordered the drug’s manufacturer to add a warning about the diabetes risk of Crestor.
A 2009 study also published in The Lancet found that statins including Crestor may increase a patient’s risk of the heart disease cardiomyopathy. The study found that patients using Crestor or other statins had lower levels of a chemical known as CoQ10, which helps the heart function properly. Patients with lower levels of CoQ10 are more likely to develop cardiomyopathy. Doctors have called for further study about the link between Crestor and cardiomyopathy in response to the study’s findings.
The FDA has also warned that Crestor may cause kidney damage or kidney failure in patients taking the drug. Several cases of kidney failure have been reported among Crestor users, while other patients have tested positive for early warning signs of kidney damage. The FDA has advised doctors to lower the dose for patients who develop signs of kidney problems while taking Crestor.
If you or a loved one used Crestor and developed diabetes, cardiomyopathy or kidney problems, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. For a free legal consultation from a Crestor lawyer, contact the law firm of Hissey Kientz, LLP by calling toll-free at 1-866-275-4454, or by filling out the free case evaluation form located on this page.