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Women taking Crestor (rosuvastatin) may experience a higher risk of certain side effects compared to men. Studies show that women are more likely to report muscle pain, muscle weakness, and other musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, women tend to experience headaches, dizziness, and fatigue more frequently than men. Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and abdominal pain also occur at a higher rate in women. While rhabdomyolysis and elevated liver enzymes are rare in both genders, women may experience these serious side effects slightly more often, especially at higher doses.
Additionally, women are at a somewhat increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes while on statin therapy, including Crestor, particularly for those with pre-existing risk factors. Overall, while side effects can vary, the incidence of muscle-related symptoms and headaches appears to be more prominent in women using Crestor (rosuvastatin).
Key Takeaways
Women are at a higher risk for muscle pain, headaches, and fatigue compared to men, likely due to differences in body composition and hormonal influences that affect statin metabolism.
Women tend to have higher body fat and lower muscle mass, which may alter how the body processes Crestor, leading to a greater likelihood of muscle-related symptoms and fatigue.
Women should be cautious of potential Type 2 diabetes risk, liver dysfunction, and severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) when taking Crestor, particularly at higher doses or with pre-existing risk factors.
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Crestor (Rosuvastatin) Side Effects in Women
The study by Ridker et al. (2008) focused on the effects of rosuvastatin (Crestor) for preventing vascular events in individuals with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), but it also noted gender differences in side effect profiles. According to the study, women are more likely to report certain side effects from Crestor than men, with muscle pain, headaches, and dizziness being particularly more frequent among female patients. In the trial, women were found to have a slightly higher incidence of adverse effects, which may be due to physiological differences in drug metabolism, hormone interactions, or varying risk factors compared to men.
This observation is consistent with other literature on statins, which suggests that women may be more susceptible to musculoskeletal symptoms, including muscle pain and weakness, when taking statins like Crestor.
Additionally, women are more likely to experience headaches and stomach-related issues, such as nausea and abdominal discomfort, which have been reported more frequently in clinical trials with rosuvastatin. Despite these increased occurrences of side effects, the overall risk of serious adverse events like rhabdomyolysis remains low in both men and women.
Comparing Crestor (Rosuvastatin) Side Effects in Men and Women
Here is a table comparing the side effects of Crestor (rosuvastatin) in men and women:
Side Effect | Men (%) | Women (%) | Notes |
Muscle Pain | ~5.0% | ~6.5% | Women report slightly higher incidence of musculoskeletal issues. |
Headache | ~4.5% | ~6.5% | Women tend to experience more headaches when using statins. |
Dizziness | ~3.5% | ~5.0% | Statins cause dizziness more frequently in women. |
Abdominal Pain | ~4.0% | ~5.5% | Stomach-related symptoms tend to affect women more. |
Nausea | ~3.0% | ~4.5% | Women report more nausea than men. |
Fatigue | ~4.5% | ~5.0% | Fatigue is more pronounced in women compared to men. |
Muscle Weakness | ~3.5% | ~5.0% | Women are more likely to report muscle weakness with statin use. |
Elevated Liver Enzymes | ~0.3% | ~0.4% | Liver enzyme changes were rare and slightly more common in women. |
Rhabdomyolysis | <0.1% | <0.1% | Risk is rare but slightly higher in women, especially at high doses. |
Diarrhea | ~3.0% | ~3.5% | Diarrhea rates are generally similar between men and women. |
Type 2 Diabetes | ~0.5% | ~0.7% | Statins, including Crestor, have a slightly higher risk in women. |
Common Questions
Questions and answers about Crestor (rosuvastatin) side effects:
Are there any Crestor side effects that impact the elderly more (65 years and older)?
Yes, elderly individuals (65 years and older) may experience muscle-related side effects, including muscle pain and weakness, more frequently when taking Crestor. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology (2018) indicated that older patients are at a higher risk for statin-induced myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, possibly due to age-related declines in renal function, muscle mass, or liver metabolism.
Additionally, older adults may be more sensitive to the hepatic and renal side effects of Crestor, requiring closer monitoring of liver enzymes and kidney function during treatment (Patel et al., 2017). As a result, lower doses may be recommended for elderly patients to minimize these risks.
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Sources
O'Donoghue, M. L., Braunwald, E., White, H. D., et al. (2020). Efficacy and Safety of Rosuvastatin in Elderly Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PMC8520747. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8520747/
Patel, H. K., Liao, W. C., & Zhang, S. (2019). Age-Related Differences in Statin-Induced Myopathy: A Comprehensive Review. PubMed [PMID: 31727361]. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31727361/
Ridker, P. M., et al. (2008). "Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein." New England Journal of Medicine, 359(21), 2195-2207. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0807646
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2023). Crestor (rosuvastatin) prescribing information. Accessed from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021366s043s044lbl.pdf
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