A while back, I warned you about Crestor, the newest cholesterol-lowering drug advertised on TV. It has a deadly side effect called rhabdomyolysis (a terribly painful, degenerative muscle tissue condition). This is the same condition that caused Baycol to be withdrawn from the market in 2001, after a hailstorm of lawsuits.

The dangerous side effects for patients using low doses of Crestor is the cause of controversy between the drug's manufacturer, Astra Zeneca, and the U.S. consumer group, Public Citizen Health Research Group (PCHRG). They disagree about the risk factors and benefits of using Crestor.

Today, you'll learn even more troubling news about this potentially deadly drug. I'll also tell you how you can improve your cholesterol without taking Crestor or other dangerous statin drugs.

*Why Did The FDA Approve It?*

Rhabdomyolysis is bursting muscle cells in the body. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, fever, dark urine, nausea, and vomiting. Although the kidneys try to remove the cellular debris from the bloodstream, they can be overwhelmed. The result can be kidney failure and death.

The FDA approved Crestor even though 7 cases of rhabdomyolysis occurred during pre-trial testing. Compare that to Baycol, which had zero incidences of rhabdomyolysis during pre-trial testing.

Since Crestor's approval in August 2003, FDA data show 11 new cases of the muscle-destroying condition, plus 3 additional cases of kidney damage. These people were taking the lowest dosage levels of 10 to 20 mg.

Although they were aware that Crestor could cause this potentially lethal condition before they approved it, FDA spokesman, Jason Brodsky, tells WebMD, “There is no indication of a pattern of risk similar to that of Baycol, which led to the withdrawal of that drug in 2001.”1

Why did the FDA approve this dangerous drug? It is logical to assume that they did it because Crestor offers a unique benefit to patients. But I can find no evidence to support that logic. Crestor doesn't claim to do a single thing that other statin drugs don't claim. So there was no health-related reason to introduce this potentially life-threatening drug to the market.

PCHRG is also concerned about Crestor's life-threatening side effects and has petitioned the FDA to ban it. I'll keep you posted on the latest developments.

*The Best Cure For Most Cholesterol Problems*

In most cases, you can use diet, exercise, and supplements (such as garlic, CoQ10, and policosanol) to safely lower cholesterol levels. There are plenty of benefits in following this healthy cholesterol-lowering plan for life.

When you exercise, it's not necessary to run miles and swim laps for an hour or more each day. Doing shorter, intense workouts will help you lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Health Alerts 28, 58 & 146 explain simple and effective PACE Programs to incorporate exercise into your daily activities.

A heart-healthy diet is as effective as drugs in controlling cholesterol. This has recently been confirmed once more by the University of Toronto's research study published by The American Medical Association.2

I agree with the validity of their results and encourage you to choose your foods wisely, exercise every day, and lower your cholesterol without the possible negative side effects caused by statin drugs.

Al Sears, MD

Sources:

(1) http://content.health.msn.com/conttent/article/87/99460.htm?printing=true

(2) Effects of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods vs. Lovastatin on Serum Lipids and
C-Reactive Protein, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 290, July 23, 2003. www.jama.com