The popular cholesterol drug Crestor (rosuvastatin) can cause Crestor death in two major ways: Cardiomyopathy and Rhabdomyolysis.
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a little known but essential antioxidant that plays a key role in cellular energy transfer and heart health. Some doctors call CoQ10 the “sparkplugs” of the human body. The enzyme comes into the body in 2 ways: through ingestion and biosynthesis (which means the body makes it).
Studies show that statins like Crestor significantly reduce the body’s ability to produce CoQ10. Crestor is the strongest statin on the market, reducing cholesterol by 55% to 60%. Its effect on CoQ10 is similarly drastic. Studies show that Crestor can reduce CoQ10 levels by more than 40 percent.
Cardiomyopathy literally means “muscle heart disease.” The heart is an energy intensive organ, depending upon CoQ10 perhaps more than any other organ. When CoQ10 levels drop, the heart becomes weak and inflamed, leading to cardiomyopathy and sometimes heart failure.
Heart failure kills thousands of Americans every year. Thousands of Americans take Crestor. Most are unaware that Crestor can lead to cardiomyopathy and death.
Rhabdomylysis is a severe kidney disorder that can lead to kidney failure and Crestor death. The condition occurs as Crestor breaks down muscle tissue, sending the protein myoglobin into the bloodstream, where it clogs the structures of the kidneys, sometimes leading to renal failure.
The early signs of rhabdomyolysis include abnormal urine color, muscle soreness or tenderness, and general fatigue.
While Rhabdomyolysis has been linked to most statins, including blockbuster drugs Lipitor and Zocor, people who take Crestor are particularly vulnerable to Rhabdomyolysis. Crestor is the only statin approved by the FDA despite pre-approval knowledge that the drug can cause rhabdomyolysis.
For this reason, consumer health advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to recall Crestor in 2004. The group cited several cases of Crestor rhabdomyolysis and at least one case of Crestor death. A 39-year-old woman died of rhabdomyolysis and renal failure after taking just 20 mg of Crestor a day.
What to do
Cardiomyopathy and rhabdomyolysis resulting from Crestor use can be treatable if caught early enough. But both conditions can lead to permanent health problems such as heart disease or renal insufficiency. Cardiomyopathy and rhabdomyolysis can also lead to Crestor death. People who have used the drug and experienced Crestor side effects are urged to speak to a medical and legal professional about alternative cholesterol treatments and legal recourse for fair compensation.
Many individuals call our Crestor lawsuit phone number and seek an experienced Crestor lawyer to advise them as to whether they may have a claim.