Statins are widely used to lower high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. One of the strongest of these drugs is rosuvastatin, often praised for its powerful cholesterol-lowering ability.
However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University has raised new concerns about its potential side effects—specifically its impact on kidney health, especially at higher doses.
While rosuvastatin has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for many years and is commonly prescribed, there were early warnings after its release.
Some patients showed signs of kidney stress, such as hematuria(blood in the urine) and proteinuria (protein in the urine), both of which can be early signs of kidney damage. Until now, though, there hasn’t been much real-world research to see how often these problems occur.
To find out more, researchers reviewed electronic health records from over 150,000 people who started taking rosuvastatin between 2011 and 2019. They compared these patients to nearly 800,000 others who were prescribed atorvastatin, another popular statin. The goal was to track how these two drugs affected kidney health over a period of three years.
The results were concerning. Among those taking rosuvastatin:
- 2.9% developed hematuria
- 1.0% developed proteinuria
When compared to atorvastatin users, those on rosuvastatin were:
- 8% more likely to develop hematuria
- 17% more likely to develop proteinuria
- 15% more likely to experience kidney failure requiring treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant
The risks were highest for people taking larger doses of rosuvastatin. Despite these risks, the study found that nearly half of the patients with advanced kidney disease were prescribed higher doses than what the FDA recommends.
This suggests that doctors may need to be more cautious when prescribing rosuvastatin to people who already have kidney problems.
Interestingly, the study also found that both rosuvastatin and atorvastatin provided similar heart health benefits, which raises an important question: if two drugs offer the same protection against heart disease, but one may carry a greater risk of kidney damage, should patients—especially those with kidney concerns—consider switching to the safer option?
The researchers suggest that people with kidney disease might do better on a lower dose of rosuvastatin or by using atorvastatin instead, which appears to have a lower risk of causing kidney problems.
This study sends an important message to both doctors and patients: while managing cholesterol is crucial for heart health, monitoring kidney health is just as important—especially for those on long-term, high-dose statin therapy.
If you’re currently taking rosuvastatin, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about whether your dose is appropriate and whether your kidneys should be checked regularly. For those with existing kidney disease, this conversation could be especially important.
In summary, rosuvastatin remains a powerful tool for heart health, but it may not be the best option for everyone. Higher doses could increase the risk of kidney damage, especially in people who already have kidney issues.
A more personalized approach—tailoring the type and dose of statin to each patient’s health status—could help ensure the best outcomes with the fewest side effects.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
