What are some of the Crestor side effects which may occur? 

Crestor side effects usually cannot be anticipated but if any develop or change in intensity you should notify your physician immediately.  Only your doctor can determine if you are still a good candidate to continue this medication for lowering cholesterol despite the Crestor side effects you may experience. 

It is very important to tell your doctor if you have any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, which is accompanied by fever or a general feeling of illness or fatigue, as these are some of the more severe of the Crestor side effects. 

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, indigestion, nausea, sore throat 

You should always take Crestor with caution if you have had a history of liver problems or any other symptoms associated with liver disease or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.  In some rare cases, medications used in lowering cholesterol like Crestor have caused liver damage.  To guard against such difficulties, your doctor will perform blood tests before you begin taking this cholesterol medication, as well as after you have been on it for about 12 weeks.  As your therapy continues you may also be required to periodically take blood tests whenever your doctor increases the dosage. 

Another one of the major Crestor side effects that has been reported is the potential for damage to muscle tissue.  You should always be particularly cautious if you have physical or inherited concerns which predispose you to muscle damage, including kidney problems or an underactive thyroid or if you are past middle-age.  You should always report to your doctor any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you have a fever or feel a general feeling of illness. 

You should always use Crestor with caution if you’ve ever had any kidney problems.  Studies have shown that Crestor as well as the other statin drugs may affect kidney function, in particular if they are given higher doses.  If your doctor finds any evidence of serious Crestor side effects he/she may need to lower your dosage. 

You should always communicate to your doctor if your ancestry is Japanese or Chinese, since these ethnic groups have been found to metabolize Crestor differently than some other ethnic groups. 

This cholesterol medication may be associated with abnormal lab test results, including tests for liver and thyroid function as well as blood sugar levels.  If you’re having any laboratory work completed, you should be sure that your physician knows that you are currently taking Crestor. 

The safety and effectiveness of Crestor has not been established among children. 

In addition to the previously mentioned Crestor side effects, if you are taking certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased or otherwise altered.  It is important to check with your physician when combining this cholesterol medication with any of the following: 

 Some information from The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs

Additional information and webpage by Paul Susic M.A. Licensed Psychologist Ph.D Candidate (Health and Geriatric Psychologist)   

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