cholesterol-lowering drug rosuvastatin.
This medication is part of a group called statins, which are commonly used by people around the world to help lower their cholesterol and protect their heart. Rosuvastatin has long been seen as one of the top choices in this group.
However, new research suggests that taking higher doses of rosuvastatin may not be as safe for the kidneys as once believed. This finding is important because it could change how doctors prescribe this drug, especially for people who already have kidney problems.
When rosuvastatin was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there were already some signs that it might affect the kidneys. Some patients had blood or protein show up in their urine. But until now, it was unclear how serious these risks were in everyday use.
To find out more, the team at Johns Hopkins looked at the health records of patients from 2011 to 2019. They studied over 150,000 people who used rosuvastatin and compared them to nearly 800,000 people who used another popular statin, atorvastatin.
Their results were eye-opening. Over a three-year period, 2.9% of rosuvastatin users had blood in their urine, and 1.0% had protein in their urine.
Even more concerning was that rosuvastatin users had higher risks than those taking atorvastatin. There was an 8% higher risk of blood in the urine, a 17% higher risk of protein in the urine, and a 15% higher risk of serious kidney problems like kidney failure.
The risks were even greater for people who already had kidney disease. Shockingly, 44% of those with advanced kidney disease were given higher doses of rosuvastatin than what the FDA recommends for people with kidney issues.
Both rosuvastatin and atorvastatin were equally good at protecting the heart. This raises an important question: is it worth taking the higher risk for the kidneys when there is another option that works just as well for heart health?
The study was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. It was led by Jung-im Shin and her team, who now recommend that doctors take a closer look at how they prescribe rosuvastatin. They suggest being especially careful with higher doses and with patients who already have kidney problems.
This research reminds us that it’s important to keep studying medicines even after they are approved and widely used. By continuing to look at real-world data, we can find ways to make treatments safer and more effective for everyone.
If you are taking rosuvastatin or any other cholesterol medication, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor. Ask about the risks and benefits, and whether the dose you’re taking is right for your health needs—especially if you have kidney concerns.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about Common statin drug linked to kidney damage and how drinking coffee can affect your kidney health.
For more health information, please read studies about important cause of kidney disease and Cruciferous vegetables may reverse kidney damage in diabetics.
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