Crestor Lawsuits

Side effects of Crestor, a blockbuster cholesterol drug that has been used by millions of people, may be linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart problems and severe muscle injury. As a result of AstraZeneca’s failure to adequately warn about the potential risks associated with Crestor, former users may be entitled to financial compensation.

CRESTOR DIABETES LAWSUIT STATUS: An increasing number of individuals nationwide are now pursuing Crestor diabetes lawsuits, alleging that inadequate warnings were provided about the impact of the medication on blood glucose levels. Crestor lawyers are also evaluating potential claims for individuals who have suffered heart problems, known as cardiomyopathy.

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MANUFACTURER: AstraZeneca, PLC.

OVERVIEW: Crestor (rosuvastatin) was approved by the FDA in 2003 for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is a member of a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. The drug is a direct competitor for Pfizer’s Lipitor and is a blockbuster medication generating more than $6 billion in annual sales.

Increasing evidence has emerged about the potential link between diabetes and Crestor side effects, particularly at high doses. Lawsuits allege that AstraZeneca knew or should have known about the potential risk of users becoming diabetic, yet withheld important safety information from consumers and the medication community.

Other research has suggested that Crestor may increase the risk of serious heart problems, such as cardiomyopathy, which is a disease that makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. In some cases, this may result in the need for a heart transplant. Crestor has also been linked to an increased risk of muscle and kidney damage.

CRESTOR DIABETES SIDE EFFECTS: In February 2012, the FDA required new Crestor warnings that information about the potential risk of diabetes with all statin-based cholesterol drugs. However, evidence suggests that information about potential Crestor diabetes side effects was available long before this time, and that inadequate information has been provided.

In 2010, a study published in The Lancet found that side effects of statins like Crestor increase the risk of diabetes by 9%. That research was followed by a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in June 2011, which specifically examined the risk of diabetes from high dose statins, such as Crestor, Lipitor and Zocor.

Concerns have also been raised about whether Crestor provides sufficient benefits over other available treatments to justify the risk. In 2005, shortly after the medication was introduced, the consumer group Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA calling for a Crestor recall.

In May 2013, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that high-potency statins may be associated with a particularly high risk of diabetes. Crestor was associated with an 18% increased diabetes risk compared to some other statin medications.

Patients taking Crestor do so to lower cholesterol and decrease their chances of heart disease and other health problems associated with high cholesterol. However, a type 2 diabetes diagnosis means they are at increased risk for heart problems and other health issues Crestor was supposed to help prevent. They must change their lifestyle to help control their diabetes and often need to take diabetes drugs that have their own potentially harmful side effects, like increased bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer risks.

CRESTOR MYOPATHY SIDE EFFECTS: All statins have been linked to an increased risk of muscle injury and Rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscle fibers to break down and can lead to kidney failure. However, a study in August 2012 by researchers from the University of California found that Crestor users were at a higher risk of muscle injury than those who took other statins, such as Lipitor or Zocor.

The muscle injuries are known as myopathy, and the most severe form of that condition is Rhabdomyolysis, which may lead to severe kidney damage, kidney failure and death. All statins currently contain a warning that myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are rare possible side effects.

Rhabdomyolysis causes muscle fibers to begin to break down, releasing a protein called myoglobin, which can damage the kidneys as they attempt to filter it out of the bloodstream. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle cramps, tenderness, stiffness, pain or spasms. The illness is usually reported in patients over 65 years of age or those who have renal impairment or uncontrolled hypothyroidism.

CRESTOR CARDIOMYOPATHY HEART RISKS: Statins like Crestor lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. However, as a side effect of Crestor and other statins, individuals may also experience a reduction of Coenzyme Q10, which is an important chemical in proper muscle function. This may impact the energetic capacity of the heart, leading to a risk of heart problems from Crestor.

Research published in 2009 suggested that statins like Crestor may be a potential cause of heart failure, including cardiomyopathy.