Will taking the statin drug Crestor reduce your inflammatory markers and heart attack rate?
Here is a basic summary of a November 2008 study funded by AstraZeneca, the maker of Crestor (rosuvastatin): About 18,000 healthy men and women with normal cholesterol levels but with elevated levels of “high-sensitivity C-reactive protein” or hs-CRP — a marker that indicates inflammation in the body — took 20 milligrams of Crestor a day and were compared to a group taking a placebo pill. Designed to last up to five years, the study was stopped after less than two years because endpoints were apparently met. According to the statistical interpretations, participants taking Crestor reduced their risk of heart attack, stroke and death compared with those taking the placebo pills. LDL cholesterol levels and hs-CRP levels were reduced by Crestor. Interestingly, at the time the study was stopped, it appeared that those who were taking Crestor were starting to have higher blood sugar levels. You would think the study would have continued to see if diabetes would set in after a few more mon
