Crestor (Rosuvastatin) - Cholesterol Medication
Crestor is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Rosuvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Crestor is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
Crestor is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors
Crestor is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Crestor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Crestor Dosage
Crestor Side Effects
Crestor can cause minor side effects like heartburn, constipation, coughing and difficulty sleeping. Serious complications can also occur, including type 2 diabetes, myopathy (muscle pain), liver damage, rhabdomyolyis (tissue deterioration) and death. In one trial, people with one risk factor for diabetes who took Crestor were 28 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those taking a placebo. The study showed that even lower doses of Crestor, like 20 mg, increased the risk for diabetes. Other statins also have been associated with a risk for diabetes.
Liver damage is associated with Crestor use, and most patients must undergo liver enzyme tests before initiating treatment and 12 weeks later. Two cases of jaundice are reported in the FDA’s prescribing information for the medication. Patients with liver disease should not take this medication. The risk for liver damage may be increased by combining Crestor with other medications that lower cholesterol, such as fibrates or niacin.
Rhabdomyolyis is the most serious side effect of Crestor and can result in death. Rhabdomyolysis causes muscle fibers to break down and infiltrate the bloodstream, which can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure and death. In an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, eight post-clinical trial cases of rhabdomyolysis were reported; in some of these cases, people were taking doses as low as 10 mg.
Another statin, Cerivastatin, also caused rhabdomyolysis and was pulled from the market in August 2001 following reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis. The drug was linked to 52 deaths and many hospitalizations. The same year it was withdrawn from the market, it was estimated to bring in $16 million, showing that the statin world can be a high-profit, high-risk industry where hundreds or thousands may suffer before a drug is recalled.
Those cholesterol numbers can be tricky, and so are the reports and advertisements you hear. The makers of statin medications want all of us to take statins, whether or not we are "sick", i.e. even if our cholesterol level is normal. This is the aim of the study called "Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin" or JUPITER study.
Now as far-fetched as this might sound, they are getting "good" cholesterol numbers to bump us into submission. And it might not be too long before you are told that you need a statin like you need vitamin in your diet. The JUPITER study reported that Rosuvastatin (or Crestor) "significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events." Aparently this refers to a 47% relative risk reduction (RRR) rate.
What These Cholesterol Numbers Mean
In presenting statistical results, advertisers will truncate graphical axes or quote the numbers that are better for sales. This is acceptable, though somewhat deceptive, so as patients (clients) we need to make sure we understand what is "behind the numbers." In the case of this JUPITER study there were 8901 subjects in the control (placebo) group and 8901 subjects in the treatment group.
From the experimental group, there were 83 events. That means 83 subjects had an incident of a heart attack or stroke during the two year period of the study. In comparison, there were 157 events in the control group.
Look at the numbers in this JUPITER study, see how these cholesterol numbers are arrived at, and then read the definitions that follow:
Control Event Rate, CER = 0.017638 (i.e. 157 divided by 8901).
Experimental Event Rate, EER = 0.009325 (i.e. 83 divided by 8901).
Absolute Risk Reduction, ARR = 0.008313 (i.e. CER - EER).
Relative Risk Reduction, RRR = 0.4713 or 47% (i.e. ARR/CER).
Number Needed to Treat, NNT = 120 (i.e. 1/ARR).
What are the common dosages of Rosuvastatin?
You can buy generic Rosuvastatin drug in tablet form in strengths of 5mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg.
What is the difference between a Generic Crestor and Name-Brand Drug? A Name-Brand drug is marketed under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In most cases, Name-Brand drugs are still under patent protection, meaning the manufacturer is the sole source for the product but in many Countries around the world this is not the case and a generic alternative is readily available . A generic Crestor is made with the same active ingredients in the same dosage form as a brand name drug. The generic drug is therapeutically equivalent to the brand name drug but is sold under its chemical or "generic" name.
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver. Cholesterol is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.
Cholesterol is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is the main sterol synthesized by animals - small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi. A sterol is a steroid sub-group.
Crestor is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
Crestor is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors
Crestor is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Crestor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Crestor Dosage
- In patients taking cyclosporine, the dose of CRESTOR should not exceed 5 mg once daily
- In patients taking a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir or atazanavir and ritonavir, the dose of CRESTOR should not exceed 10 mg once daily
- Combination therapy with CRESTOR and gemfibrozil should be avoided. If used together, do not exceed CRESTOR 10 mg once daily
- For patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min/1.73m2) not on hemodialysis, dosing of CRESTOR should be started at 5 mg once daily and not exceed 10 mg once daily
- When initiating CRESTOR therapy or switching from another statin, the appropriate CRESTOR starting dose should first be used and only then titrated according to the patient's response and individualized goal of therapy
- After initiation or upon titration of CRESTOR, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and the dosage adjusted accordingly
Crestor Side Effects
Crestor can cause minor side effects like heartburn, constipation, coughing and difficulty sleeping. Serious complications can also occur, including type 2 diabetes, myopathy (muscle pain), liver damage, rhabdomyolyis (tissue deterioration) and death. In one trial, people with one risk factor for diabetes who took Crestor were 28 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those taking a placebo. The study showed that even lower doses of Crestor, like 20 mg, increased the risk for diabetes. Other statins also have been associated with a risk for diabetes.
Liver damage is associated with Crestor use, and most patients must undergo liver enzyme tests before initiating treatment and 12 weeks later. Two cases of jaundice are reported in the FDA’s prescribing information for the medication. Patients with liver disease should not take this medication. The risk for liver damage may be increased by combining Crestor with other medications that lower cholesterol, such as fibrates or niacin.
Rhabdomyolyis is the most serious side effect of Crestor and can result in death. Rhabdomyolysis causes muscle fibers to break down and infiltrate the bloodstream, which can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure and death. In an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, eight post-clinical trial cases of rhabdomyolysis were reported; in some of these cases, people were taking doses as low as 10 mg.
Another statin, Cerivastatin, also caused rhabdomyolysis and was pulled from the market in August 2001 following reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis. The drug was linked to 52 deaths and many hospitalizations. The same year it was withdrawn from the market, it was estimated to bring in $16 million, showing that the statin world can be a high-profit, high-risk industry where hundreds or thousands may suffer before a drug is recalled.
Those cholesterol numbers can be tricky, and so are the reports and advertisements you hear. The makers of statin medications want all of us to take statins, whether or not we are "sick", i.e. even if our cholesterol level is normal. This is the aim of the study called "Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin" or JUPITER study.
Now as far-fetched as this might sound, they are getting "good" cholesterol numbers to bump us into submission. And it might not be too long before you are told that you need a statin like you need vitamin in your diet. The JUPITER study reported that Rosuvastatin (or Crestor) "significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events." Aparently this refers to a 47% relative risk reduction (RRR) rate.
What These Cholesterol Numbers Mean
In presenting statistical results, advertisers will truncate graphical axes or quote the numbers that are better for sales. This is acceptable, though somewhat deceptive, so as patients (clients) we need to make sure we understand what is "behind the numbers." In the case of this JUPITER study there were 8901 subjects in the control (placebo) group and 8901 subjects in the treatment group.
From the experimental group, there were 83 events. That means 83 subjects had an incident of a heart attack or stroke during the two year period of the study. In comparison, there were 157 events in the control group.
Look at the numbers in this JUPITER study, see how these cholesterol numbers are arrived at, and then read the definitions that follow:
Control Event Rate, CER = 0.017638 (i.e. 157 divided by 8901).
Experimental Event Rate, EER = 0.009325 (i.e. 83 divided by 8901).
Absolute Risk Reduction, ARR = 0.008313 (i.e. CER - EER).
Relative Risk Reduction, RRR = 0.4713 or 47% (i.e. ARR/CER).
Number Needed to Treat, NNT = 120 (i.e. 1/ARR).
What are the common dosages of Rosuvastatin?
You can buy generic Rosuvastatin drug in tablet form in strengths of 5mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg.
What is the difference between a Generic Crestor and Name-Brand Drug? A Name-Brand drug is marketed under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In most cases, Name-Brand drugs are still under patent protection, meaning the manufacturer is the sole source for the product but in many Countries around the world this is not the case and a generic alternative is readily available . A generic Crestor is made with the same active ingredients in the same dosage form as a brand name drug. The generic drug is therapeutically equivalent to the brand name drug but is sold under its chemical or "generic" name.
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver. Cholesterol is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.
Cholesterol is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is the main sterol synthesized by animals - small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi. A sterol is a steroid sub-group.