Statins are a type of medicine widely used to lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease. One of the most common statins is rosuvastatin, often sold under the brand name Crestor.
While it’s effective at lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attacks, a recent study suggests that rosuvastatin might come with unexpected risks for the kidneys—especially when taken at high doses.
This new research, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, was led by Dr. Jung-Im Shin and a team from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The scientists studied the medical records of people who began taking either rosuvastatin or a similar statin called atorvastatin between 2011 and 2019. Their goal was to find out whether rosuvastatin is linked to kidney problems.
What They Found
Over an average follow-up period of about three years, the researchers found some troubling signs among rosuvastatin users:
- 2.9% of patients had hematuria, which means there was blood in their urine.
- 1.0% had proteinuria, a condition where the urine contains too much protein, which can be an early sign of kidney damage.
When comparing rosuvastatin to atorvastatin, the risks were noticeably higher in the rosuvastatin group:
- An 8% higher risk of hematuria.
- A 17% higher risk of proteinuria.
- A 15% higher risk of kidney failure severe enough to require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Perhaps most importantly, the risk seemed to grow with higher doses. People who were prescribed larger amounts of rosuvastatin had greater chances of showing signs of kidney damage. In patients who already had advanced kidney disease, nearly half were given doses that were higher than the safe limit recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with poor kidney function.
Why This Matters
Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are both commonly used to manage high cholesterol. They offer similar heart benefits. However, this study suggests that rosuvastatin might carry a higher risk to kidney health, especially at high doses or in people who already have kidney problems.
Dr. Shin emphasized that the overall risk is relatively small, but still important—especially when treating people with weakened kidneys or other risk factors.
These findings highlight the need for doctors and patients to have open conversations when choosing the right cholesterol-lowering medication. It’s important to consider not just the benefits for the heart, but also the possible effects on other organs, like the kidneys.
What Patients Should Do
If you’re currently taking rosuvastatin or another statin, there’s no need to panic. This study doesn’t say that rosuvastatin is unsafe for everyone. But it does suggest that healthcare providers should be cautious, especially when prescribing higher doses or treating patients with existing kidney problems.
Patients should never stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to their doctor. Instead, this is a reminder to keep the lines of communication open. Ask questions about your medications. Discuss your overall health, including kidney function, and work with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you.
This research also highlights the importance of careful monitoring. Regular blood and urine tests can help catch problems early, before they become serious.
In the bigger picture, studies like this one help guide safer, more personalized healthcare decisions. As researchers continue to learn more about how medications affect the whole body, patients can benefit from treatments that not only lower risk but also support long-term health.
The full study is available in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology for those interested in learning more.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing Zinc and vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
