Prominent cardiologist voices concerns over Crestor diabetes danger
Top cardiologist and professor Eric Topol has warned patients and doctors of a sharp increase in the risk of type II diabetes linked to the widespread use of Crestor and other statins. Topol argued in a New York Times op-ed that the benefit-to-risk ratio is too narrow for patients who do not have a history of heart problems to take Crestor.
One out of every 200 patients who takes Crestor will develop type II diabetes, according to recent data reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. Topol argues that this risk should lead patients to consider reducing dosage of statins such as Crestor or stopping use completely.
The FDA added the increased risk of diabetes—along with possible memory loss—to Crestor’s warning label, a change Topol called “long overdue.” In addition to diabetes and memory loss, Crestor has been linked to an increased risk of cardiomyopathy.