The use of Crestor has been linked to Rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition which may cause serious muscular problems and death.
Over 104 million Americans have high or dangerously high cholesterol. High cholesterol places people at risk for heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes. Many people with elevated cholesterol seek the help of medical professionals to lower their cholesterol to a safe level, lessening the risk for serious health conditions. Healthy, low-fat eating, exercise, and cholesterol reducing medications are often part of the health regimen recommended by physicians to lower cholesterol. The following are recent cardiovascular disease (heart disease) statistics:
- Over 61 million people in the United States have some type of deadly cardiovascular disease.
- More than 945,800 people died in the year 2000 from cardiovascular disease.
In August 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pharmaceutical drug Crestor, developed by the AstraZeneca company, to be made available to the public. The drug is a statin, which is a type of medication used to lower cholesterol. Since the drug was put on the market, many people have experienced serious and deadly side effects. A link between Crestor and Rhabdomyolysis has been discovered, and, as a result, the FDA has released a warning to all people who are currently or have previously taken the drug.
Rhabdomyolysis is a fatal condition that causes muscles to become weakened and break down, introducing muscle fibers into the circulatory system. Some symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis include:
- Abnormal weight gain
- Dark urine
- Exhaustion
- Seizures
- Sore muscles
- Weak muscles
After learning of the health risks involved with Crestor, the FDA recommended that the pharmaceutical drug be taken in smaller doses, although the risks are present at any dosage level. Some of the other very serious side effects of Crestor include kidney irregularities, kidney damage, and kidney failure.
As of July 2004, Crestor has been linked to two Rhabdomyolysis-related deaths, as well as seven cases of Rhabdomyolysis, four cases of acute renal failure, and five cases of kidney damage.
This is not the first time that a cholesterol lowering drug has caused death or serious physical injury. In 2001, Bayer Pharmaceutical Division decided to take Baycol, a cholesterol lowering drug, off the market because of its link to Rhabdomyolysis. The use of Baycol caused over 100 deaths and more than 480 cases of Rhabdomyolysis.
If you or a loved one are currently taking, or have taken, the prescription drug Crestor and have experienced any of the symptoms listed on this page, you may be at risk for serious, even fatal health problems. Please seek medical attention to find out if your use of Crestor has caused physical injury.
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