Warning
2004-58
November 24, 2004
For immediate release
Updated safety information regarding Crestor®
OTTAWA - 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:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2005/2005_10_e.html
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Advisory
2004-34
June 21, 2004
For immediate release
Health Canada is advising Canadians about a possible association between Crestor® and rhabdomyolysis
OTTAWA -Health Canada is advising Canadians about a possible association between
the cholesterol lowering drug Crestor®, and a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis.
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, tenderness, fever,
dark urine, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, rhabdomyolysis can result in kidney failure and
can be life-threatening.
Rhabdomyolysis has also been reported with other cholesterol lowering drugs in the "statin" family. "Statins" are
a specific type of cholesterol lowering medication. Between February 2003 and June 2004 there have
been eight cases of rhabdomyolysis reported in Canadian patients taking Crestor®. In five of those
cases the patients were taking the maximum recommended dose (40 mg) of the drug, in two cases the
patients were taking the lowest recommended starting dosage (10 mg) and in the remaining case, the
dosage was not stated. All of the Canadian reported cases were associated with predisposing risk
factors, and no deaths have been reported.
There are certain factors that might cause an individual to have a greater risk of developing muscle
related problems, including rhabdomyolysis, if they are taking a statin. These factors include: kidney
problems, an underactive thyroid gland, alcohol abuse, a past history of significant muscle pain
or significant muscle weakness while on statin therapy, a personal or family history of inherited
muscle problems, and Japanese or Chinese ethnicity. The risk is also increased for patients who may
be taking other medications which might interact with statins. Health Canada recommends that all
patients taking Crestor® consult with their doctors to determine if any of these factors apply to
them.
Because the risk of rhabdomyolysis is increased at higher doses, Health Canada recommends that
all patients taking Crestor®, or any cholesterol lowering drug, should be on the lowest dose that
will meet their treatment goal.
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.
This advisory is in addition to a letter issued by the manufacturers of Crestor®, following consultation
with Health Canada, to health care professionals reminding them of the above mentioned safety concerns.
If you have questions regarding your current prescription, please contact your physician or pharmacist.
Any suspected adverse drug reactions in patients receiving Crestor® can be reported to:
Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP)
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701C
OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-0337 or
Fax: (613) 957-0335
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Tel: 866 234-2345
Fax: 866 678-6789
cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
For other inquiries: please refer to contact information.
The AR Reporting
Form and the AR
Guidelines can be found on the Health Canada web site or in The Canadian Compendium
of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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