Crestor® is a prescription medication approved in 2003 to help lower cholesterol levels. An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug, or statin, Crestor® is touted as lowering “bad cholesterol” and raising “good cholesterol” levels in the body. The drug is prescribed for adults with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and has not yet been studied in children, but can potentially harm unborn and nursing infants.

Patients taking Crestor® have complained of muscle pain, weakness, dark urine, constipation, weakness, abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting. However, extremely severe health complications can arise from using Crestor®, including severe muscle damage, kidney damage, and liver damage.

Total renal (kidney) failure has also been reported in Crestor® users, and at least seven patients using Crestor® suffered life-threatening muscle deterioration. Not only did the FDA find that Crestor® poses renal risks not previously found with other statins, it lacks the apparent reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes seen in other statins. More information about Crestor® can be found at http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/crestor.htm.

In light of such frightening evidence, the Public Citizen consumer group asked the FDA to remove Crestor® from the market, but no action was taken and AstraZeneca continues to manufacture the medication. If you consume alcohol, plan to become pregnant (or are pregnant), or suffer pre-existing liver or kidney conditions, you must alert your doctor before taking this drug.

If you or a family member was injured or killed as a result of taking Crestor®, contact our Philadelphia area pharmaceutical litigation lawyers today. Our attorneys at the Law Firm of Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. will help you fight for justice.