Crestor Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

At least 260 lawsuits have been filed against AstraZeneca, alleging that Crestor can cause users to develop Type 2 diabetes. The lawsuits were filed after recently published medical studies suggested a link between Crestor and Type 2 diabetes, and accuse the manufacturer of failing to disclose this risk to doctors and patients.

Drug manufacturers, including AstraZeneca, are required to alert the public to potential side effects their products may cause, and can be held liable in court if they fail to do so. If you or a loved one developed Type 2 diabetes while using Crestor, you may be able to file a lawsuit to collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Can Crestor Cause Diabetes?

Several medical studies have shown that taking Crestor can increase a patient’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. While some statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) can actually reduce a patient’s likelihood of developing diabetes, a study published in the BMJ showed that patients taking Crestor had an 18 percent higher risk of developing new-onset diabetes. Patients who took Crestor and already had one risk factor for diabetes, such as obesity or higher blood-sugar levels, were 28 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the journal Lancet.

Researchers with JAMA Internal Medicine conducted studies on postmenopausal women using statins and found that women ages 50 to 79 were at a higher risk for developing new-onset diabetes after taking these drugs. The same study also found that women, patients of Asian descent, and the elderly were particularly at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes after using a statin.

In February 2012, the FDA announced that it was aware of studies indicating that patients treated with certain statins have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In a news release, the agency said it would be making safety changes for the labels of Crestor and certain other statins. The new labels warn patients and doctors that Crestor can cause an increase in blood sugar levels and diabetes diagnoses. There is no known cure for Type 2 diabetes, and if the disease is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, or death.

Are the Crestor Lawsuits a Class Action?

The Crestor lawsuits are not a class action. These cases are considered a mass tort, which is different from a class action. In mass tort litigation, each Crestor patient who developed Type 2 diabetes must file a separate lawsuit seeking compensation for his or her damages.

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