Every third adult American has high cholesterol levels, and this has an impact on other serious conditions, including stroke and heart attack. Patients diagnosed with high cholesterol levels are prescribed statins or other medications for lowering cholesterol levels. Statin class of medications are considered as effective in delivering the desired outcomes. Without exception, all medications have certain undesirable effects, and Statins are not free from this possibility. Crestor, brand name for Rosuvastatin, is one among the many different types of Statins prescribed for lowering cholesterol levels. Here is a good look at Crestor side effects in men and ideal measures to prevent and mitigate the effects.
Overview of statins and Crestor side effects in men
A deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of statins and the specific outcomes or uses cases will help identify Crestor side effects in men. Belonging to the category of lipid lowering drugs, Crestor is prescribed for reducing cholesterol levels and for reducing the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular disease. The drug is known to lower lipid levels by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver. This inhibition in a specific part of the sequence of reactions that are instrumental in lipid metabolism helps lower bad cholesterol levels. Specialists typically prescribe Crestor or other statins in the period immediately after cardiovascular events. It is also recommended for individuals considered exposed to risk of experiencing cardiovascular diseases.
For instance, individuals with diabetes type 2, are regarded as patients with high risk of ending up with cardiovascular disease. One of the reasons for the popularity of statins, is the effective nature of the medication and the relatively lesser side effects associated with the drug. The rate limiting mechanism of action in the liver, brings about a decrease in plasma low density lipoproteins and very low-density lipoproteins. In addition to the above, other actions of statins include a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation, while stabilising atherosclerotic plaques. Finally, statins are also known to increase the bio-availability of nitric oxide which helps improve various functions in the body, helping overall health.
Medical conditions that are treated or managed with statins
Before we look at Crestor side effects in men, it is time to look at the specific uses of the medication. The medication is primarily prescribed for treating dyslipidemia; this refers to a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. This condition results in an increase high triglyceride levels and high LDL levels, while causing a reduction in HDL levels in the blood. Statins are not the first line of treatment in such conditions, but are prescribed after the initial lifestyle modifications and weight management fail to deliver improvements. In addition to dyslipidemia, the medication is also used for treating hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The first condition refers to high cholesterol levels, while the latter refers to high levels of triglycerides.
It is prescribed by specialists for preventing various cardiovascular events. For instance. Individuals diagnosed with congenital heart disease are prescribed statins. The drug is also prescribed for patients with arteriosclerosis, and heart valve disease. These conditions are known to elevate the risk of cardiovascular events and require effective medication to lower the risk. Similarly, patients with disorders in peripheral vascular system, or diseases in the aorta are also prescribed statins. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, endocarditis and arrhythmia are also other conditions that are managed with the medications.
Recommended practices to prevent Crestor side effects in men
To avoid Crestor side effects in men, it is recommended to follow certain practices as advised by specialists. Available in tablet form, Crestor is to be taken once daily, and can be consumed either with food or without food. Typically prescribed for adults and children above the age of eight, it is important to ensure that missed doses are managed with proper care. For instance, a patient who has missed a dose is advised to take the medication immediately, but this should never be within twelve hours of the next dose. To put it differently, two doses are not to be taken with a period of twelve hours. Available in dosages of 5 mg, 10, mg and 20 mg, the initial doses typically start at 10 or 20 mg per day. Ideally, the maximum dosage should not exceed 20 mg per day. The medication is to be taken at the same time every day, with water, and as mentioned above, skipped doses are to be cautiously handled.
Possible Crestor side effects in men
With all the above information explained in detail, it is time to now look at possible Crestor side effects in men. Commonly reported side effects include pain in the muscles, complications in digestion, and issues with mental focus and state of alertness. Damage to the liver is an extremely rare occurrence in a very small number of patients. To put the side effects of statins in perspective, just 1.4% of patients on statins are known to have either discontinued or changed the medication due to the onset of undesirable effects.
Commonly reported Crestor side effects in men include throbbing headache that is not attributed to any other reason. Pain in the muscles, medially known as myalgia is another possible undesirable side effect of the medication. Individuals are known to experience some kind of abdominal pain when on the medication. This may or not be accompanied by feelings of nausea in certain instances. Patients on the medication are known to experience some kind of weakness or a sudden drop in energy levels, for no apparent or explained reasons.
Categories of individuals advised to avoid Crestor
Certain categories of individuals are advised to avoid the stains to prevent Crestor side effects in men. For instance, patients with existing liver complications and disease are advised to stay off the medication, and choose other drugs with a different mechanism of action. Women who are either pregnant or nursing infants are also advised to stay off the medication and rely on other cholesterol lowering drugs. Individuals with a history of known allergies to rosuvastatin are also to avoid the medication and look at alternatives. A word of caution for women who have conceived while on the medication. There is a possible risk to the health of the fetus and it is therefore necessary to seek medical advice immediately for remedial action.
Patients with certain conditions are advised to inform the treating specialists about the following conditions. For instance, individuals with pre-existing liver or kidney ailments are to inform the doctors prior to taking the drugs. Similarly, patients diagnosed with diabetes are also advised to seek medical opinion before taking statins. Other conditions include patients with thyroid disorders, and alcoholics who over indulge routinely.
Symptoms that indicate Crestor side effects in men
Patients who experience certain symptoms are to seek medical intervention, as this could be indicative of possible Crestor side effects in men. For instance, any sudden loss of appetite, that cannot be explained away could be indicative of possible side effects of the medication. Similarly, individuals who experience pain in the muscles, or fatigue or a drain in energy levels are also advised to inform the treating specialist about the symptoms. Pain in the upper portion of the abdomen is another indication of side effects, while a strong discernible and easily identifiable condition is discoloration of the urine. Patients on the medication who observe a darkening in the color of urine that is not linked to any other condition, are to report the same for assessment. Similarly, jaundice is another possible outcome or symptom that is indicate of Crestor side effects in men.
Possible Crestor side effects in men that are regarded as serious
In addition to the above, there is also the possibility of Crestor side effects in men that could be serious in nature. These side effects are rare in occurrence and are known to affect a very small section of users. For instance, patients on Crestor may be at risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which refers to the breakdown of skeletal muscles. As a consequence of this action, certain proteins are released into the blood, resulting in the condition. The proteins, myoglobin, possess the ability to cause damage to the kidneys, which can ultimately result in kidney failure. Individuals who are assessed as having symptoms that are indicative of this condition are to instantly stop Crestor.
Crestor side effects in men : interactions with medications and alcohol
Crestor side effects in men include the possibility of interactions with medications and consumption of alcohol. Individuals who consume alcohol are at risk of ending up with increased triglyceride levels, in addition to causing possible damage to the liver. It is therefore essential for alcoholics to avoid taking the medication when continuing to over indulge in alcohol. The effectiveness of statins is linked to lifestyle modifications and it is essential for patients to stick to a proper plan of lowering cholesterol levels through appropriate dietary modifications.
Medications that are known to trigger Crestor side effects in men include cyclosporine and gemfibrozil. Additionally, drugs that contain niacin and fenoribrate are also known to trigger interactions in patients. It may be necessary to either stop one of the two medications or to stagger the timing of intake, as advised by the specialist, after weighing the benefits of each medication and the importance of the desired outcomes. Drugs used for treating HIV are also among the category of medications that trigger Crestor side effects in men. Crestor is considered as relatively safe when compared with other medications and the FDA has reportedly stated that the risk associated with the medication are at par with those of other stain class of medications.