Crestor Side Effects

As of July 30, 2024, the most reported side effect of Crestor (rosuvastatin) is myalgia, also known as muscle pain, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Myalgia is a common medical condition ranging from mildly annoying to debilitating. It can feel like a deep, steady ache or sharp pain and can affect muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue between the muscles.

According to Dr. Kevin Huffman, a board-certified bariatric physician and CEO of Ambari Nutrition, serious side effects include muscle weakness (myopathy) and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).

Disclaimer: Reports sent to the FDA don’t necessarily mean the drug caused an adverse event. Consult a health care professional before stopping or changing medication.

Huffman said that as far back as 2013, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found a ‘concerted’ increase in the risk of myopathy among statin patients taking higher doses.

“It’s not controversial that higher doses of rosuvastatin, Crestor’s active ingredient, are associated with these risks,” Huffman told Drugwatch.

Despite these risks, the number of reports has been decreasing since 2013. The combined total of all FAERS reports in the last three years is only around 3.6% of all reports since 2003.

Most Recent Crestor FDA Warnings

In 2012, the FDA updated Crestor’s label to include the potential risk of rhabdomyolysis. This severe muscle condition can lead to kidney damage.

The label was also updated that year to warn of memory loss or confusion while taking the drug. Another label addition in 2012 warns that statins, the drug class Crestor belongs to, can cause hyperglycemia, which is an increase in glucose blood levels. This can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

According to Crestor’s drug label, headache is the most common side effect of Crestor in clinical trials, followed by nausea and myalgia. The following list from Crestor’s label insert shows the side effects reported during clinical trials of Crestor and the percentage of trial participants who experienced each one.

Most common side effects, such as headaches and abdominal pain, typically resolve within a few days to weeks as the body adjusts to the medication. Serious side effects require immediate medical attention and may persist longer, depending on the individual’s health condition and response to treatment.

While most Crestor side effects are mild, patients should still monitor and report them to a health care provider. Your provider can ensure any symptoms you experience aren’t signs of another issue.

In rare cases, serious side effects of Crestor can include liver damage, stroke and cognitive issues. Although rare, patients should still be aware of these risks.

“Have a frank discussion with your doctor regarding your family history of Type 2 diabetes, and request regular blood sugar checks,” Huffman told Drugwatch.

Serious side effects of Crestor can have significant health impacts which require prompt medical attention and ongoing monitoring.

Crestor and Rhabdomyolysis

Several factors influence the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis from Crestor, including the dosage, the patient’s age, kidney function and concurrent use of other medications that might interact with statins. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which the muscles break down and these byproducts release into the bloodstream. This can potentially cause kidney damage. People over the age of 65, people with kidney issues or implants and people taking medications such as cyclosporine, atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir or simeprevir concurrently, are at a higher risk.

Notably, studies have shown that the incidence of rhabdomyolysis is higher in patients taking Crestor compared to some other statins. This elevated risk underscores the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring by health care providers.

When To Seek Medical Attention

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, as these could be early signs of rhabdomyolysis.

“Remedies include starting with the lowest effective dose of Crestor and having your creatine kinase altered periodically through a blood test to check for muscle damage,” Huffman said. High levels of creatine kinase – an enzyme in your blood – can indicate muscle injury as well as heart or brain damage.

Other symptoms that warrant urgent care include dark urine (which may indicate the presence of muscle breakdown products), severe abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and significant changes in memory or cognitive function.

The FDA has released several warnings regarding Crestor, emphasizing the risks of muscle damage, diabetes and liver injury. Health care professionals receive regular updates and monitoring recommendations.

You can read all FDA warnings, precautions and drug interactions on the Crestor label insert.

As of July 2024, there have been no recalls for Crestor. Patients should stay informed through regular updates from the FDA and consult their health care provider with any concerns.

In 2004, Public Citizen called for the FDA to recall Crestor to prevent additional rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure and kidney damage. Although the FDA rejected the requests, the agency has mandated that AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Crestor, include warnings on the drug’s label regarding the possibility of developing rhabdomyolysis with acute renal (kidney) failure.

Proper management of side effects involves regular monitoring, lifestyle adjustments and open communication with health care providers.

“You should monitor yourself for unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if those symptoms worsen with activity,” Huffman said. “Notify your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms.”

Whether the side effects you experience are barely noticeable or impact your day-to-day functioning, it is essential to keep your prescriber informed so they can adjust your medication if needed.

Patients concerned about Crestor’s side effects have several statin alternatives.

Crestor, like all statins, is used to help reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood. Most statins are similar, with the main difference being the dosage and how much they lower LDL levels. Crestor and Lipitor can lower LDL levels by over 50%, which is more than any other statin.

Discussing options with a health care provider can help find a suitable replacement. Individual factors such as pre-existing health conditions, concurrent medications and specific cholesterol-lowering goals should guide the choice of therapy. Regular follow-ups and monitoring are essential to ensure the chosen medication is both effective and well-tolerated.

Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.