Is crestor a statin medication
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Crestor as a Statin Medication
Introduction to Crestor (Rosuvastatin)
Crestor, known generically as rosuvastatin, is a medication developed by AstraZeneca and is classified as a statin. Statins are a class of drugs that are widely used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Crestor is specifically indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia when dietary changes alone are insufficient1 2.
Mechanism of Action and Efficacy
Rosuvastatin works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. This inhibition leads to a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, while also increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and reducing triglycerides1 2 4. Comparative studies have shown that rosuvastatin is more effective at equivalent dosages than other statins like atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin in improving lipid profiles4.
Clinical Trials and Safety Profile
Clinical trials have demonstrated that rosuvastatin is highly effective in achieving target LDL-C levels in a significant proportion of patients. For instance, in phase III clinical trials, nearly 80% of patients treated with a 10 mg daily dose of rosuvastatin reached their LDL-C goals1 2. The safety profile of rosuvastatin is comparable to other statins, with common side effects including myalgia, constipation, asthenia, abdominal pain, and nausea. These side effects are generally mild and transient4.
Broader Implications and Usage
Rosuvastatin has been evaluated in extensive clinical programs, such as the Galaxy program, to assess its efficacy in preventing atherosclerosis and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality1 2. The drug is also noted for its selective uptake by hepatic cells and its hydrophilic nature, which reduces the potential for drug interactions mediated by the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme4.
Market and Regulatory Considerations
Crestor has been a significant player in the statin market, with its patent protection extending until 2016, which has led to legal actions against generic manufacturers attempting to produce similar drugs6. The U.S. FDA has also considered expanding the use of Crestor to a broader population, potentially increasing the number of people eligible for statin therapy7.
Conclusion
In summary, Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a highly effective statin medication used to manage cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Its superior efficacy in lowering LDL-C and favorable safety profile make it a valuable option for patients with hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia. As research and regulatory decisions continue to evolve, the role of Crestor in preventive health care is likely to expand, benefiting a larger patient population.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Le medicament du mois. Rosuvastatine (Crestor).
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a new statin that effectively reduces cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol, with a similar decrease in triglyceride levels, compared to other statins.
[Drug of the month. Rosuvastatin (Crestor)].
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) effectively reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol, with a similar decrease in triglyceride levels, compared to other statins.
Is pharmaceutical detailing informative? Evidence from contraindicated drug prescriptions
Pharmaceutical detailing significantly reduces physicians' likelihood of prescribing Crestor to contraindicated patients, potentially impacting prescribing patterns.
Rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin effectively and rapidly improves lipid profiles in patients with a broad spectrum of dyslipidemias, with higher effectiveness in those with hypercholesterolemia.
Highly CitedEngineering a Biocatalyst to Support a Novel Preparation of Blockbuster Statin Drugs
This study develops a biocatalyst for efficient and greener preparation of blockbuster statin drugs, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, with potential economic and environmental advantages.
PATenT wATCh AstraZeneca sues over generic Crestor
AstraZeneca is suing seven generics manufacturers over their plans to market generic versions of its cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor, arguing that its patent is either invalid, unenforceable or not infringed.
Public health. U.S. panel favors wider use of preventive drug treatment.
U.S. advisory committee endorses wider use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, potentially expanding eligibility to 6 million people with normal cholesterol levels, but raises questions about who should get potentially risky medications and how many healthy people is it reasonable to treat to avoid one heart attack.
Experimental studies on guinea pig regarding the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids as enhancer in statin medication.
Combined therapy with omega-3-PUFAs and rosuvastatin improves lipid profile in guinea pigs, but does not significantly affect endothelial lesions.
RCT
Animal StudySafety and efficacy of rosuvastatin
Rosuvastatin is a highly efficacious statin with a comparable safety profile to other marketed statins, and has a well-tolerated renal safety profile.
Literature Review
Rigorous Journal