Crestor Side Effects: Are They Impairing Market Value?

Drugmaker AstraZeneca saw a drop in profits, especially for the cholesterol drug Crestor, in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to their reports in 2010. In 2010, the company made $11 billion, a three percent increase from the year prior – and Crestor itself gained in popularity, with percent increase in sales in the double digits. The first quarter of 2011 saw a drop in profits for the company, however, especially related to Crestor. Although it is not certain, there is a possibility that this loss is due to side effects of Crestor, which have been publicized more and more lately, and several lawsuits surrounding the medication.

Crestor, generically known as rosuvastatin, is one of the most effective anti-cholesterol drugs available. Studies have proven its effectiveness over other, similar drugs in reducing a patient’s cholesterol numbers, and it has also proven helpful in patients with heart disease in preventing strokes and heart attacks. However, these benefits come with a price, and some patients might think it is simply not worth the risk.

Side effects that have been reported include muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle tenderness, breakdown of muscle tissue, liver damage, diabetes, severe kidney disorders, and even breakdown of the muscle tissue in the heart. Many patients are limited by these side effects, and although muscle pain and weakness are some of the less serious complications that have been uncovered, they can restrict a patient greatly – he or she may be unable to perform the tasks he or she once liked to do, and if the patient’s job involves manual labor it may be more difficult to work. Victims suffering from these side effects are taking legal action and filing Crestor lawsuits across the country.

For this reason, many patients are weighing the pros and cons of filing suit against AstraZeneca in order to gain compensation that could cover medical bills, lost wages, and other such expenses. The Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement banning the highest dose of the similar cholesterol drug Zocor may actually help the chances of people looking into filing a Crestor lawsuit, because of the similarities between the two drugs.

Patients who are worried about side effects they may have experienced as a result of Crestor and who want to look into taking legal action against drugmaker AstraZeneca should consult an experienced Crestor lawyer immediately.