Crestor Side Effects

Like most prescription drugs, Crestor can produce some unwanted side effects, some more serious than others. If your doctor has recommended this drug, or you are considering asking for a prescription, you should carefully weigh the potential side effects against any benefits the drug can provide for you.

Common Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of Crestor include:
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Muscular pain
• Stomach pain

These side effects may go away after a few weeks as your body gets used to the drug. If they persist, get worse, or are extremely bothersome, however, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Dangerous Side Effects

Although the most common side effects of Crestor are mild and at their worst, annoying, some can be very serious. You should tell your doctor if you experience:

• Liver Problems
If you already have liver problems, taking Crestor can worsen your condition. Before accepting a prescription, request that your doctor perform blood tests to evaluate the condition of your liver. Your doctor should re-administer the tests three months after beginning treatment. If there are no signs of liver damage, it is recommended that you continue the treatment and have blood tests taken occasionally to ensure healthy liver function. If abnormalities are present, you may need to lower your dose, or discontinue the drug altogether.

• Muscle Problems
Crestor has been known to produce serious muscle conditions such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria. Myopothy is an acute weakness of the muscles; rhabdomyolysis is deterioration of muscle caused by damage to muscle tissue, and myoglobinuria is the presence of the toxic substance, myoglobin, in the urine due to muscle damage. This condition has been known to cause lethal kidney failure. These muscle conditions are serious and require immediate medical attention.

Benefits

Although there are certainly significant side effects to consider, Crestor has some potentially life-saving benefits as well. It can lower cholesterol levels significantly in people with heart disease, diabetes, and other related conditions, reducing the occurrence of stroke and heart attack.

Deciding whether or not to take Crestor is a serious and personal decision. You should take into account your current health including your risk for stroke and heart attack as well as any other medical conditions you have. Talk to your doctor, and ask for their advice. Make sure that you provide them with all of your important medical information, including any prescription medication you are taking. Dangerous drug interactions can occur if you are taking medicine such as Cyclosporine, Gemfibrozil, Coumarin, Niacin, Finofibrate, and others. Talk to your doctor about any possible interactions before beginning a Crestor regimen.

Like just about anything else in life, Crestor and drugs like it have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important to talk to your family, doctor, and other trusted confidantes before taking this or any other drug. Depending on your individual medical condition, Crestor may offer health benefits that outweigh the risks, or the drug just might not be right for you. Ultimately, it is up to you and your doctor to decide.