Statin Drugs Info, side effects and lawsuit

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Statin Medications There are currently around 12 million Americans taking cholesterol lowering drugs and experts agree that another 23 million Americans should be taking them. The most common cholesterol medications belong to a class of drugs called "statin's". Currently there are six statin drugs on the US market:Crestor ( Rosuvastatin ) - AstraZenecaLipitor ( Atorvastatin ) - PfizerZocor ( Simvastatin ) - MerckMevacor ( Lovastatin ) - MerckPravachol ( Pravastatin ) - Bristol-Myers - SquibbLescol ( Fluvastatin ) - Novartis What Are Statin drugs?Statin's are a class of drugs used to lower blood cholesterol. They work in your liver to block a substance needed to make cholesterol. They may also help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has accumulated in plaques on your artery walls. This helps prevent further blockage in your blood vessels. Long-term use of statin's may even reduce existing blockage in narrowed blood vessels.

Statin Drug Side Effects Like all medications, statin's have potential side effects. The most common side effects include:

 

Nausea

Diarrhea

Constipation

Muscle Aching

In addition to the side effects listed above there are two serious side effects such as rhabdomyolysis (which may be fatal) associated with statin medications:

 

Rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the circulation. Some of these are toxic to the kidney and frequenty result in kidney damage. Crestor, Liptior, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Lescol are beleived to increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis.

 

Elevated liver enzymes. Occasionally, statin use causes an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase is only mild, you can continue to take the drug. If the increase is severe, you may need to stop taking it, which usually reverses the problem. Certain other cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) and niacin, increase the risk of liver problems in people who take statins. Because liver problems may develop without symptoms, people who take statins should have their liver function tested periodically.

Statin myopathy. Statins may cause muscle pain and tenderness (statin myopathy). In severe cases, muscle cells can break down (rhabdomyolysis) and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can impair kidney function and lead to kidney failure. Certain drugs when taken with statins can increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis. These include gemfibrozil, erythromycin (Erythrocin), anti fungal medications, nefazodone (Serzone), cyclosporine and niacin. If you take statins and have new muscle aching or tenderness, consult with your doctor.

The serious side effects of statin medications have been known for some time. On August 8, 2001 Bayer recalled their statin drug called Baycol as a result of 31 deaths that were linked to Baycol.Recently an FDA associate director of drug safety gave a Crestor warning which recommended a Crestor recall due to the prevalence of serious Crestor side effects like rhabdomyolysis. Many exoerts beleive the same serious side effects shared by Baycol and Crestor are associated with all statin drugs.. Over the last few years experts have learned more about the serious side effects of statin drugs such as Crestor and have issued several warnings in order to help educate the public and doctors about side effects. Due to the seriousness of Crestor side effects many experts agree that the FDA should initiate a Crestor recall.Statin drugs have a history of serious side effects. If you or a loved one have taken Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, or Lescol and have been injured as a result of the side effects or if you have questions about statin drug side effects contact the statin drug attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today. The statin drug lawyers of Ennis & Ennis specialize in statin drug lawsuits resulting from Crestor side effects, Lipitor side effects, Zocor side effects, Mevacor side effects, and Pravachol side effects. Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is a national mass tort litigation / drug litigation law firm with offices in Washington DC and throughout Florida. Contact us today for your free, confidential case evaluation.

If you are currently taking Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, or Pravachol and have concerns about its safety, you should consult with your doctor regarding your treatment options. Under no circumstances should you discontinue taking any medication, including Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, or Pravachol without first consulting with your doctor.

 

 

 

 

If you have taken statin drugs and have experienced side effects, or have questions about a possible lawsuit contact the statin drug attorney at Ennis & Ennis, today. Evaluate Your Case for free,or call us to set up a free legalconsultation at 1-800-856-6405