Studies have shown that blood levels of Crestor in Asian patients were twice those of white patients on the same drug. Crestor, like other statins, has rarely been linked to serious muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis). In its warning, the FDA recommended that Asians be started on lower doses to reduce the risk of side effects. The same warning also applies to patients with severe kidney disease and those on cyclosporine.

The lowest dose, according to the FDA, is 5 milligrams, versus a maximum dosage of 40 milligrams. Crestor is manufactured by Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, which has worked with the FDA to revise the package insert for Crestor.

Despite this warning, the FDA also announced that Crestor, like other statins, remains a valuable drug in treating high cholesterol levels. Other negative side effects associated with statins include kidney failure. However, in its warning, the FDA noted that patients treated with statins are often at risk for kidney failure, and it is impossible to prove if the statins caused or worsened their condition, or if it would have occurred regardless of their drug therapy.

The risk of muscle damage and kidney failure is the same for Crestor as other statins.

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