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Archived – Updated safety information regarding Crestor
- Starting date:
- November 24, 2004
- Posting date:
- November 24, 2004
- Type of communication:
- Advisory
- Subcategory:
- Drugs
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Important Safety Information, Product Safety
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-11000100
Health Canada wishes to advise Canadians of safety concerns about Crestor®, a cholesterol lowering drug, when used at the highest recommended dosage of 40 mg daily. The risk of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) may be increased at higher doses. Health Canada recommends that all patients taking Crestor®, or any cholesterol lowering drug, should be using the lowest dose that will meet their treatment goal.
Health Canada is actively reviewing the safety profile associated with rosuvastatin (Crestor®), particularly the 40 mg dose, and is in receipt of additional safety information provided by its manufacturer, AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
In June 2004, Health Canada posted a Public Advisory about an association between Crestor and rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious muscle disorder. The same month, AstraZeneca Canada Inc. issued a Dear Healthcare Professional Letter to advise Canadian healthcare professionals of this information.
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that results in muscle breakdown and the release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain, weakness, muscle tenderness, fever, dark urine, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, rhabdomyolysis can result in kidney failure and can be life threatening.
Since June 2004, Health Canada has received a further 6 reports of rhabdomyolysis in patients using Crestor®, which are under assessment.
All patients taking Crestor®, or any cholesterol lowering drug, are advised to report any unexplained muscle pain, muscle weakness or cramps, or any brown or discoloured urine, to their physician immediately.
Note: Health Canada issued another advisory on this topic on March 3, 2005. To access this advisory, visit: Health Canada advises patients about the risks of CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin).
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