Lyli
08-27-2004, 02:45 PM
Hi Y'all,
My (female) total cholesterol was 290 and my doc put me on a new drug called Crestor (10 mg). Has anyone heard anything about this drug?
TIA
My (female) total cholesterol was 290 and my doc put me on a new drug called Crestor (10 mg). Has anyone heard anything about this drug?
TIA
Sponsor
rahod
08-27-2004, 04:03 PM
Hi Y'all,
My (female) total cholesterol was 290 and my doc put me on a new drug called Crestor (10 mg). Has anyone heard anything about this drug?
TIA
I like it...I have been taking it for over 3 months and have had no problems at all. I actually alternate between 10 mg and 5 mg, taking 10 mg 4X a week and 5mg 3X a week. I have lowered my cholesterol from 250 to 170 on that dosage (average 8mg a day). With Crestor you can take a much lower dosage than you would have to with other statins..even Lipitor. There has been *negative* news regarding Crestor which, in my humble opinion, is totally unfounded and bogus. All the studies demonstrate that the side effects of Crestor are no different than the other statins.
My (female) total cholesterol was 290 and my doc put me on a new drug called Crestor (10 mg). Has anyone heard anything about this drug?
TIA
I like it...I have been taking it for over 3 months and have had no problems at all. I actually alternate between 10 mg and 5 mg, taking 10 mg 4X a week and 5mg 3X a week. I have lowered my cholesterol from 250 to 170 on that dosage (average 8mg a day). With Crestor you can take a much lower dosage than you would have to with other statins..even Lipitor. There has been *negative* news regarding Crestor which, in my humble opinion, is totally unfounded and bogus. All the studies demonstrate that the side effects of Crestor are no different than the other statins.
DeAnne 641
08-28-2004, 04:24 PM
Hi, I have been on Crestor (20mg) for about 7 months now. I feel fine, no side effects, and my cholesterol has went from 641 to a managable 200ish. Recently I had blood work and a liver function test done. All is still well. Good luck!
DeAnne 641
08-31-2004, 11:20 AM
I am sure you are scared to start on something, I was too. But, it can't hurt to give it a try, have your dr. moniter you with blood test ect... I know there are differnt drugs that affect differnt ppl differntly. Some ppl can't even take penecillian, some can. I only take Crestor, no other meds, and I am thankful for the miracle of modern science. Good Luck.
ARIZONA73
09-02-2004, 07:30 PM
Zocor! Lipitor! Crestor! No wonder people are so afraid of these. Why, just the names alone sound so ominous. There is sort of an eeriness in these names, just like strychnine, cyanide, and arsenic. In fact, if I didn't already know they were cholesterol drugs, I'd be more inclined to think they were names given to pesticides.
ARIZONA73
09-03-2004, 07:04 PM
I also believe that the frequency of side-effects associated with statins are probably considerably higher than what is reported. Joel M. Kauffman, a proffessor of chemistry who authored "Statin Drugs-A Critical Review of the Risk/Benefit Clinical Research", stated: "Side-effects are usually said to affect 2-6% of patients. In fact, a recent meta-analysis noted side-effects in 20% of patients above the placebo rate (65% vs. 45%)."
That 20% figure sounds far more realistic to me.
That 20% figure sounds far more realistic to me.
zip2play
09-04-2004, 09:32 AM
I think the names are GREAT. I can imagine the gods in Valhalla being named CRESTOR, LIPITOR and the mighty ZOCOR THE MAGNIFICENT.
(Actually cyanide is a beautiful word too, calling up the blue green shades of CYAN.)
For an UGLY name, how about clopidogrel?:D:D Or AGNES! :bouncing:
(Actually cyanide is a beautiful word too, calling up the blue green shades of CYAN.)
For an UGLY name, how about clopidogrel?:D:D Or AGNES! :bouncing:
ARIZONA73
09-04-2004, 10:50 AM
:D :D Yeah, I guess you can look at it that way, too. Actually, I once worked for American Cyanamid. I remember that they made CYAN BLUE and CYAN GREEN dyes.
ARIZONA73
09-04-2004, 04:59 PM
Adding CoQ10 to statins would be an excellent idea. However, I can only imagine what the added cost would be. These drugs are already costing people an arm and a leg (no pun intended). And CoQ10 is not cheap. Far from it. :eek:
Jack51
09-09-2004, 01:05 PM
Yes I have tried crestor, along with all the other statins. I have hypercholesterolemia (whew). After 8 days I was in the bed, and on the verge of developing rhabdomyolysis, which happens when the statins attack your muscles, which then release enzymes that shut down your kidneys. I cannot take any of the statins or fenofibrates (tricor, gemfibrozil). Yet when a new one comes out, I am always tempted to try them, but never again. I have peripheral neuropathy in my legs that was caused by tricor. Some people do fine on statins, but others don't. I am green with envy, lol. My lastest #'s were, total chol. = 339, triglycerides = 1073.......
ty123
09-20-2004, 12:25 AM
I had an initial negative reaction when my doctor put me on 40mg of Pravachol. I got really tired, and achey. However instead of quiting I had him back me off to 20mg.
I adjusted immediately to the lower dose, and then a month or two later I went back on 40 with no problems at all. Finally I went on to 80mg and I STILL had no side effects.
I'm no expert, but I think some people with symptoms may need a low dosage and move slowly up as needed.
Of course Crestor is known as the "Superstatin". Its about the most powerful one out there. Lipitor is amost as powerful at 40mg, and probably slightly more powerful at 80 since there is no 80mg dosage of Crestor right now.
I think in some cases of Homozygous FH docs will still prescribe higher doses though.
Believe me, I'm not keen to take meds, but I'm damn glad the statins came along, and wish I'd gotten on the bandwagon earlier.
I think is also worth pointing out, that many people who seek out boards like this are the ones having issues ...in this case with statins...those with no issues are watching TV.
mark
I adjusted immediately to the lower dose, and then a month or two later I went back on 40 with no problems at all. Finally I went on to 80mg and I STILL had no side effects.
I'm no expert, but I think some people with symptoms may need a low dosage and move slowly up as needed.
Of course Crestor is known as the "Superstatin". Its about the most powerful one out there. Lipitor is amost as powerful at 40mg, and probably slightly more powerful at 80 since there is no 80mg dosage of Crestor right now.
I think in some cases of Homozygous FH docs will still prescribe higher doses though.
Believe me, I'm not keen to take meds, but I'm damn glad the statins came along, and wish I'd gotten on the bandwagon earlier.
I think is also worth pointing out, that many people who seek out boards like this are the ones having issues ...in this case with statins...those with no issues are watching TV.
mark
rahod
09-20-2004, 02:37 AM
>> I think is also worth pointing out, that many people who seek out boards like this are the ones having issues ...in this case with statins...those with no issues are watching TV.
mark<<
Exactly. ;) ..I'm one of those "watching TV"....who wish to offer advice on the advantges of statins. The landscape is in constant flux, changing as we speak. We now have evolving strategies.. ZETIA now gives many hope. Who knows what lies ahead? It's important to keep an OPEN MIND.
mark<<
Exactly. ;) ..I'm one of those "watching TV"....who wish to offer advice on the advantges of statins. The landscape is in constant flux, changing as we speak. We now have evolving strategies.. ZETIA now gives many hope. Who knows what lies ahead? It's important to keep an OPEN MIND.
ty123
09-20-2004, 12:07 PM
Well, I think you're overselling Zetia a little bit. Its actually a fairly weak drug that only reduces LDL about 15% from baseline at best. Better than a kick in the head, but hardly better than the effect you can get from eating Benecol margarine.
It is easily tolerated though, and its definately something that anyone with FH should be trying.
As for Crestor, I only wish the 80mg dose was safe, because that is likely what I'll need to get LDL's into the 70's.
mark
It is easily tolerated though, and its definately something that anyone with FH should be trying.
As for Crestor, I only wish the 80mg dose was safe, because that is likely what I'll need to get LDL's into the 70's.
mark
rahod
09-20-2004, 02:08 PM
Well, I think you're overselling Zetia a little bit. Its actually a fairly weak drug that only reduces LDL about 15% from baseline at best. Better than a kick in the head, but hardly better than the effect you can get from eating Benecol margarine.
It is easily tolerated though, and its definately something that anyone with FH should be trying.
As for Crestor, I only wish the 80mg dose was safe, because that is likely what I'll need to get LDL's into the 70's.
mark
The benefit of ZETIA isn't in it modest 18% lowering of LDL..it's the FURTHER LOWERING of LDL by 25% when added to a statin, thus obviating the need to up the dose of a statin. The reason why it's 25% is because it still reduces the same amount that would have been removed from baseline (18%), but you now are comparing that amount to a LOWER #. In order to remove that additional 25%, most statins have to be QUADRUPLED! That's a BIG DEAL.
It is easily tolerated though, and its definately something that anyone with FH should be trying.
As for Crestor, I only wish the 80mg dose was safe, because that is likely what I'll need to get LDL's into the 70's.
mark
The benefit of ZETIA isn't in it modest 18% lowering of LDL..it's the FURTHER LOWERING of LDL by 25% when added to a statin, thus obviating the need to up the dose of a statin. The reason why it's 25% is because it still reduces the same amount that would have been removed from baseline (18%), but you now are comparing that amount to a LOWER #. In order to remove that additional 25%, most statins have to be QUADRUPLED! That's a BIG DEAL.
rahod
09-20-2004, 02:36 PM
"As for Crestor, I only wish the 80mg dose was safe, because that is likely what I'll need to get LDL's into the 70's."
I would try 10mg+Zetia first.... 20Mg Crestor +Zetia will almost certainly get you there. You have nothing to lose by trying. I think these options are far better than going to 40mg Lipitor and will definitely give you better results..probably more in line with 80mg Lipitor.
I would try 10mg+Zetia first.... 20Mg Crestor +Zetia will almost certainly get you there. You have nothing to lose by trying. I think these options are far better than going to 40mg Lipitor and will definitely give you better results..probably more in line with 80mg Lipitor.
ty123
09-20-2004, 02:56 PM
rahod, "I would try 10mg+Zetia first.... 20Mg Crestor +Zetia will almost certainly get you there."
Rahod, I hope your right, but so far, although I respond to statins, I have not responded to them as well as baseline reduction statistics would predict.
In fact, if I had responded to Pravachol as well as the CRESTOR people say I should, I'd already be at good levels. I'm not.
Here is what Elena Citkowitz, the Director of Cholesterol Management Center at Yale University School of Medicine says about people with FH:
"Because 50% of the LDL receptors are normal, these patients have an excellent response to the usual cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, LDLc elevations are so severe that treatment still remains difficult.
Maximum doses of one of the stronger HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (ie, statins) such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and one or more other medications, including bile acid sequestrants or niacin, are required to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
Get that last bit..."to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
You're telling me I'll run faster if I use CRESTOR running shoes...maybe, but the real problem is, I only have one leg...LOL.
mark
Rahod, I hope your right, but so far, although I respond to statins, I have not responded to them as well as baseline reduction statistics would predict.
In fact, if I had responded to Pravachol as well as the CRESTOR people say I should, I'd already be at good levels. I'm not.
Here is what Elena Citkowitz, the Director of Cholesterol Management Center at Yale University School of Medicine says about people with FH:
"Because 50% of the LDL receptors are normal, these patients have an excellent response to the usual cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, LDLc elevations are so severe that treatment still remains difficult.
Maximum doses of one of the stronger HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (ie, statins) such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and one or more other medications, including bile acid sequestrants or niacin, are required to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
Get that last bit..."to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
You're telling me I'll run faster if I use CRESTOR running shoes...maybe, but the real problem is, I only have one leg...LOL.
mark
rahod
09-20-2004, 05:03 PM
mhtyler:
10mg Crestor is equivalent in LDL lowering to: 20mg Lipitor (actually exceeds)...80Mg Zocor...far exceeds 80 mg Pravachol.
20mg Crestor is equvalent to: 80mg Lipitor :)
10mg Crestor is equivalent in LDL lowering to: 20mg Lipitor (actually exceeds)...80Mg Zocor...far exceeds 80 mg Pravachol.
20mg Crestor is equvalent to: 80mg Lipitor :)
ty123
09-20-2004, 05:59 PM
"...far exceeds 80 mg Pravachol."
Where are you getting your figures? I'm looking right at the Crestor study, and it doesn't even measure Pravachol at 80mg, because that wasn't a recommended dose at the time.
What I do see on the report is that 40mg of Lipitor is slightly more powerful than 10mg of Crestor.
Crestor does appear to be slightly more powerful at 40 than Lipitor at 80.
55% reduction from baseline LDL vs 51% with Lipitor
The max dose of Crestor might be just the thing for me.
55% off of my baseline would be and LDL score of about 85 ...about 10-15 points off what I'd like to see. The trouble is, as I said, I respond to statins, but not in line with the mean baseline changes seen in the study.
I've a feeling they don't include FH's in such manuf. sponsored studies since FH's aren't likely to respond as well as people with normal cholesterol receptors.
Still...there is hope that the max dose of Lipitor or Crestor along with Zetia might...just might get me into a safe area.
Where are you getting your figures? I'm looking right at the Crestor study, and it doesn't even measure Pravachol at 80mg, because that wasn't a recommended dose at the time.
What I do see on the report is that 40mg of Lipitor is slightly more powerful than 10mg of Crestor.
Crestor does appear to be slightly more powerful at 40 than Lipitor at 80.
55% reduction from baseline LDL vs 51% with Lipitor
The max dose of Crestor might be just the thing for me.
55% off of my baseline would be and LDL score of about 85 ...about 10-15 points off what I'd like to see. The trouble is, as I said, I respond to statins, but not in line with the mean baseline changes seen in the study.
I've a feeling they don't include FH's in such manuf. sponsored studies since FH's aren't likely to respond as well as people with normal cholesterol receptors.
Still...there is hope that the max dose of Lipitor or Crestor along with Zetia might...just might get me into a safe area.
rahod
09-20-2004, 06:23 PM
"Where are you getting your figures? I'm looking right at the Crestor study, and it doesn't even measure Pravachol at 80mg, because that wasn't a recommended dose at the time."
My logic deduced that since 20mg exceeded 80mg Zocor, it would certainly exceed 80 mg Pravachol :D . Go to the Crestor site and click on "Efficacy" link..then click on "LDL Efficacy" and SCROLL DOWN TO THE SECOND CHART. You can also access the entire study...go to "Scientific Evidence" link. That will lead you to the link for the download(PDF) of the "STELLAR STUDY". Read that! You will see the "head to head" data. The charts at the end will also allow you to extrapolate the data on 40 mg Pravachol..80 mg wouldn't come close to 20mg Crestor. BTW, if you look at the data you'll see 20mg Crestor is very close to 80mg Lipitor as well.
My logic deduced that since 20mg exceeded 80mg Zocor, it would certainly exceed 80 mg Pravachol :D . Go to the Crestor site and click on "Efficacy" link..then click on "LDL Efficacy" and SCROLL DOWN TO THE SECOND CHART. You can also access the entire study...go to "Scientific Evidence" link. That will lead you to the link for the download(PDF) of the "STELLAR STUDY". Read that! You will see the "head to head" data. The charts at the end will also allow you to extrapolate the data on 40 mg Pravachol..80 mg wouldn't come close to 20mg Crestor. BTW, if you look at the data you'll see 20mg Crestor is very close to 80mg Lipitor as well.
ty123
09-20-2004, 08:46 PM
"That will lead you to the link for the download(PDF)"
Yes, I've already read the Crestor pdf file.
mark
Yes, I've already read the Crestor pdf file.
mark
rahod
09-22-2004, 01:33 AM
rahod, "I would try 10mg+Zetia first.... 20Mg Crestor +Zetia will almost certainly get you there."
Rahod, I hope your right, but so far, although I respond to statins, I have not responded to them as well as baseline reduction statistics would predict.
In fact, if I had responded to Pravachol as well as the CRESTOR people say I should, I'd already be at good levels. I'm not.
Here is what Elena Citkowitz, the Director of Cholesterol Management Center at Yale University School of Medicine says about people with FH:
"Because 50% of the LDL receptors are normal, these patients have an excellent response to the usual cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, LDLc elevations are so severe that treatment still remains difficult.
Maximum doses of one of the stronger HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (ie, statins) such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and one or more other medications, including bile acid sequestrants or niacin, are required to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
Get that last bit..."to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
You're telling me I'll run faster if I use CRESTOR running shoes...maybe, but the real problem is, I only have one leg...LOL.
mark
From a study:
Each doubling of the statin dose produces an incremental LDL-C reduction of approximately 5–6% of the baseline LDL-C value, resulting in a further LDL-C reduction of 15–18% with a three step doubling of the statin, compared with the LDL-C reduction achieved with the statin starting dose. The addition of 6 tablets of colesevelam or the addition of 10 mg of ezetimibe to 10 mg of a statin results in about the same level of LDL-C lowering as 80 mg of the statin. The highest doses of statins are most associated with adverse side effects.
Do a search for 'Lipids on line" web site..then do a search for "Ezetimibe" on that home page and go to slide 21..sorry I wish I could post the link. That graph says it all.
Rahod, I hope your right, but so far, although I respond to statins, I have not responded to them as well as baseline reduction statistics would predict.
In fact, if I had responded to Pravachol as well as the CRESTOR people say I should, I'd already be at good levels. I'm not.
Here is what Elena Citkowitz, the Director of Cholesterol Management Center at Yale University School of Medicine says about people with FH:
"Because 50% of the LDL receptors are normal, these patients have an excellent response to the usual cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, LDLc elevations are so severe that treatment still remains difficult.
Maximum doses of one of the stronger HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (ie, statins) such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and one or more other medications, including bile acid sequestrants or niacin, are required to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
Get that last bit..."to approach the recommended LDLc goals"
You're telling me I'll run faster if I use CRESTOR running shoes...maybe, but the real problem is, I only have one leg...LOL.
mark
From a study:
Each doubling of the statin dose produces an incremental LDL-C reduction of approximately 5–6% of the baseline LDL-C value, resulting in a further LDL-C reduction of 15–18% with a three step doubling of the statin, compared with the LDL-C reduction achieved with the statin starting dose. The addition of 6 tablets of colesevelam or the addition of 10 mg of ezetimibe to 10 mg of a statin results in about the same level of LDL-C lowering as 80 mg of the statin. The highest doses of statins are most associated with adverse side effects.
Do a search for 'Lipids on line" web site..then do a search for "Ezetimibe" on that home page and go to slide 21..sorry I wish I could post the link. That graph says it all.
ty123
09-22-2004, 02:01 AM
Rahod, FH = Familia Cholesterolemia. Reread my post: People with FH do not respond to statins the same as people with normal liver functions.
The figures you are quoting are mean baseline reductions for people without FH. It is likely that Crestor and Lipitor will both have stronger reactions than Pravachol, but not in-line with what you've been reading...not on me anyway.
mark
The figures you are quoting are mean baseline reductions for people without FH. It is likely that Crestor and Lipitor will both have stronger reactions than Pravachol, but not in-line with what you've been reading...not on me anyway.
mark
EKGnormal
09-29-2004, 02:34 PM
I just received a fax that said over 10 million people have been prescribed Crestor, so that is about 3-4 million who ever got Baycol, so safety is probably a moot issue now.
FH pts are more difficult to treat because of their lack of receptors, zetia might help if added to Crestor but probably not a lot-10%. 10 or 20 of Crestor is good and I would stay with that for 3-4 months before considering to add any other med.
Getting close to goal is not bad, people live long lives who have not reached goal yet. getting LDL down near 100 should be your goal.
I'd do an NMR profile or Stanford Heart lab test so that I would know all the parameters of my lipids. Your doctor can order one.
If you are FH, then you should be seeing a Lipid Expert, not a GP, not just any Cardiologist either. Ask your Dr who one is or tell me what city and I'll recommend one.
FH pts are more difficult to treat because of their lack of receptors, zetia might help if added to Crestor but probably not a lot-10%. 10 or 20 of Crestor is good and I would stay with that for 3-4 months before considering to add any other med.
Getting close to goal is not bad, people live long lives who have not reached goal yet. getting LDL down near 100 should be your goal.
I'd do an NMR profile or Stanford Heart lab test so that I would know all the parameters of my lipids. Your doctor can order one.
If you are FH, then you should be seeing a Lipid Expert, not a GP, not just any Cardiologist either. Ask your Dr who one is or tell me what city and I'll recommend one.
medcase
04-22-2005, 01:25 AM
I was on Crestor 10 mg. for 6 mos. Here's my experience.
2nd mos. very sleepy and fatigued plus
3rd mos. slight fever plus
4th mos. severe muscle weakness, barely able to keep arms above head or walk plus
5th mos. short of breath with little exertion
6th mos. off of Crestor
Presently all symptoms are gone but the muscle weakness (after being off Crestor for 4 mos.) Now I get to try Tricor...
2nd mos. very sleepy and fatigued plus
3rd mos. slight fever plus
4th mos. severe muscle weakness, barely able to keep arms above head or walk plus
5th mos. short of breath with little exertion
6th mos. off of Crestor
Presently all symptoms are gone but the muscle weakness (after being off Crestor for 4 mos.) Now I get to try Tricor...