A new study conducted by researchers in Canada adds to the growing body of research indicating that popular cholesterol medications like Lipitor and Crestor, known as statins, may increase the risk of diabetes side effects in patients. This latest study was published in the British Medical Journal on May 29, and suggests that patients taking high doses of statin drugs may face a statistically significant increased risk of developing diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and you believe a potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drug like Lipitor to be the cause, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help put you in touch with a reputable Lipitor attorney today.
Statin drugs like Lipitor and Crestor are typically prescribed to patients with high cholesterol in an effort to reduce the risk of heart disease, but research shows that a diabetes diagnosis could leave them with a host of serious health problems, including blindness and even the heart disease they were trying to avoid. Researchers involved in this latest statin study examined data on more than 100,000 patients compiled by the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies, which included anonymous patients from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
After analyzing the data, the researchers concluded that patients taking powerful statin drugs like Lipitor and Crestor may have a 15% increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes within two years of beginning treatment. According to the study findings, for every 350 patients administered a high-potency statin rather than a low-potency statin, one patient will develop diabetes. Not only are Crestor and Lipitor high-potency statin drugs, but they are also among the most widely-used medications in the class of cholesterol-lowering medications.
Statins like Lipitor and Crestor are among the best-selling medications in the United States, and are designed to block the body’s production of cholesterol, a key contributor to coronary artery disease. However, mounting research has linked some of the most popular statin drugs, like Lipitor and Crestor, to an increased risk of life-threatening side effects, including kidney problems, muscle damage and diabetes. If you believe you have been harmed by side effects of Lipitor or another medication, contact a reputable product liability lawyer to discuss your options for legal recourse.
