Crestor is a member of the statin drug family and often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels in order to reduce the risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, the Juniper trial of this drug demonstrated that Crestor reduced first major cardiovascular attacks by 46 percent. The Juniper trial consisted of 6,801 participants with a control group. Specifically, it was shown that 20 milligrams of Crestor lowered events of unstable angina, stroke, arterial revascularization and myocardial infarction by 46 percent when compared to the placebo group.
As with any other drug, there are common side effects, and Crestor should not be used unless prescribed by a physician. Medical studies indicate that common side effects of this drug include dizziness, constipation, depression, joint pain and cough. If symptoms like these persist or interfere with daily functioning, it’s important to advise your doctor. A simple change in the dosage may be in order. Taking large dosages of Crestor can lead to skeletal muscle effects, and your physician will know the right dosage for you. This drug can cause a breaking down of the muscle tissues and increase protein levels in the blood. The end result could be liver damage. It is recommended by the medical community that liver function tests be done prior to commencing Crestor and during.
Typically, Crestor is started at low dosages and gradually increased for both adults and children. Both age groups start at 5 milligrams a day. Adult dosages are increased up to 40 milligrams a day, and children dosages are increased up to 20 milligrams a day. Before prescribing Crestor, your physician will take a medical history and consider all of the risk factors. For example, patients of Asian descent have genetic factors that can cause severe side effects. Usually, this ethnic group is limited to 5 milligrams a day. Those with liver disease may not be able to take this medication. It may worsen the condition. Under supervision of a physician, your doctor will know whether or not Crestor is a good choice for you. It is also important to note that Crestor is not advised for pregnant women. Studies have shown that interfering with cholesterol levels may increase the likelihood of birth defects in unborn children.
Taking Crestor under the supervision of a physician will also help avoid possible dangerous interactions with any other drugs that you are taking. Medications that are known to interact with this drug include niacin, fenofibric, atazanavir, cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, indivavir and daptomycin. Be sure to advise your doctor of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter meds. It’s possible that these other drugs may have similar ingredients and cause an overdose or potential life-threatening condition.
