Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. While your body needs some cholesterol to build healthy cells, having too much can be a problem.
High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. One common way to fight high cholesterol is by taking medications, like rosuvastatin.
But a recent study suggests that this drug could have some unwanted side effects on your kidneys, especially if you’re taking it in higher doses.
What Did the Study Look At?
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University looked into the medical records of over 150,000 new users of rosuvastatin and compared them with nearly 800,000 new users of another common cholesterol drug called atorvastatin.
They checked these records from 2011 to 2019 to see if people were having problems with their kidneys.
Why focus on kidneys? Well, kidneys are like the body’s natural filtering system. They help remove waste products and extra fluids, including blood, from the body.
In the past, rosuvastatin was linked to kidney issues, including blood and protein in the urine.
These are often early signs that the kidneys are not doing well. So, the researchers wanted to see if these concerns hold up with real-world data.
What Did They Find Out?
The researchers discovered a few things that should make us think twice. They found that people taking rosuvastatin were more likely to have problems like blood and protein in their urine compared to those taking atorvastatin.
What’s more, the risk went up for those who were taking higher doses of rosuvastatin.
Also, if you already had serious kidney problems, the study found that a large percentage of people were given higher doses of the drug than what is usually considered safe.
This is troubling because if your kidneys aren’t working well, you’re already at higher risk for other health problems, including heart issues.
What Does This Mean for You?
You might be wondering, “What should I do if I’m already taking this medication?” or “I have high cholesterol, and my doctor suggested rosuvastatin. Should I say no?”
The point here is not to scare you off medications that could be beneficial for you. Instead, this study helps us be more informed and take steps to stay safe.
Talk to Your Doctor: Always have an open chat with your healthcare provider. Ask questions like, “Is this medication the best option for me?” or “What are the potential side effects?”
Keep an Eye on Your Kidneys: It’s important for anyone taking cholesterol medications to have their kidneys checked regularly. Simple urine tests can tell you a lot about your kidney health.
Review Your Dose: If you’re already taking rosuvastatin, especially at a higher dose, discuss this study with your doctor to see if you should continue, reduce the dose, or maybe try a different medication.
The study isn’t saying you shouldn’t take rosuvastatin, but it does say we should be cautious. It reminds doctors to consider all the pros and cons before prescribing this medication, especially to people who already have kidney problems.
Remember, medications are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to managing high cholesterol. Lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, are also crucial.
So, whether you are on medication or not, keep an eye on what you eat, stay active, and continue to monitor your health with regular check-ups.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce the risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent the recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
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