Crestor and Cramps: What Users Say

• K9S...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I've taken most of the statins. I ALWAYS ended up with leg cramps. At 44, I had to have a stent placed due to a 95% blockage. And that's when I started seeing my cardiologist. Upon hearing of the leg cramps, he ran a simple blood test and told me that my vitamin D was extremely low (4) and the real cause of the cramps. I now take 50k IU of vitamin D 3x weekly. I have NEVER had a cramp on Crestor, except when I forgot to take my vitamin D. As soon as I started the D back up, the cramps ceased. Even at 50k IU 3x weekly, my regular blood tests indicate that my vitamin D is now in the normal range (>29). And my cholesterol went from over 300 to down around 150. If you have cramps, I recommend the D check."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Had high cholesterol started on Crestor. Since then, my life has been a nightmare. Leg cramps, joint pain, swelling, memory loss, extreme fatigue, and now they have diagnosed me with an unknown issue. All since Crestor. I am stopping... never been sick a day in my life... these medications will make us sicker."

• MeR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Started taking 10 mg yesterday. After about 2 hours, I had severe leg cramps. Yesterday, I thought it was maybe flu or something. Then, today again after a couple of hours of taking it, the cramps and weakness started. There is no way I am taking this again. I would rather die of a heart attack than be in a wheelchair."

• Bil...
• March 6, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Could not get up from a chair after taking Crestor generic. Then I stopped taking the drug two weeks ago and still have trouble with muscle weakness and pain. It is very painful to enter a car and to sleep at night. I failed to mention the problems with my joints in my fingers and toes stiffness and cramps."

• Gra...
• April 6, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Within 3 days of taking Crestor 10 mg, I got terrible leg cramps, headaches, nausea, and weakness. On top of that, I had awful dreams that were scary. Within one week, I gained 8 pounds. I felt sick. Got off of it and just did exercise and watched my diet closely. Lost 16 pounds in a month, and 3 months later, my cholesterol went down from 350 to 169. I feel so much better, and all the bad symptoms went away. Crestor is not for everyone."

• Sea...
• January 30, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I have genetically high cholesterol, compounded by occasional bad eating habits. At one point, my cholesterol was up to 342. Within 2 months of taking Crestor, 10 mg, my cholesterol level dropped to 154. I stopped taking it and started eating healthier, but my cholesterol went back up to 266 (curse my genetics). So I am back on it, my cholesterol is down to 143. I don't have any leg cramps or other type of problems that I did when I first tried Lipitor."

• foo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Severe muscle cramps, after almost one year on 10 mg/day Crestor, for familial hypercholesterolemia of 6. Not overweight, exercise and eat well. Stopped Crestor and resolved within 1 week. 2 months later, liver tests normal but cholesterol borderline high restarted with 5 mg every other day along with coenzyme Q 100 mg/day and had taken 2 weeks of Coenzyme Q to build up stores prior to this. Severe cramps resumed within 1 week."

• Cin...
• August 21, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Worst Medication EVER!! Allergic reactions and cramps in leg from Losartan Mar 2015 ended up on crutches. Doc misdiagnosed, fell on crutch broke right wrist, metal plate in it now. Surgery on wrist, MRI showed complete torn ligament in right ankle. Surgery on ankle, Dilauded for 4 months. Doc put me on Crestor and BP Meds, had a stroke, wheelchair bound, ran out of Crestor for 6 weeks, finally walking with cane. Doc put me back on Crestor. Allergic reaction to Crestor after 2 months, rapid heart, dizzy, leg swelling, pains in chest, massive leg cramps. Now left foot is barely usable, another ligament possibly torn. Then Mini Stroke. Doctor stopped Crestor. Now I have Iron Deficiency ISSUES. Been off Crestor since June but all these side effects are still haunting."

• cha...
• August 9, 2017

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "Took Crestor for four months and it lowered my cholesterol. Took it until my feet, shins, and calves went into cramps. Couldn't sleep, and could hardly walk. Cramps ended two days after quitting. Cardiologist put me on it and my family doc took me off it and told me never to take it again."

• Sum...
• August 27, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Crestor brought down my cholesterol, however, I've experienced insomnia, leg cramps and last night the worst nightmare of my life which woke me at 2:30 a.m. and I never could go back to sleep. I'm not taking any more."

• R R...
• July 20, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I took Caduet, which contains Lipitor, for two years and had leg cramps and developed a chronic cough with asthma. I got off the medication and started taking Crestor 5mg, and I love it. No cramps, no cough, and it lowered my cholesterol even at the reduced dosage."

• Jo ...
• May 11, 2022

For High Cholesterol "For decades, my cholesterol numbers have been high, but because the “good” cholesterol was always much higher, I was never put on any drugs. I always had creative and stressful work, requiring long hours. I also developed HBP, although I don’t drink coffee, only have a recreational drink from time to time, and have never smoked. During an unrelated illness, my BP was high, and so I was started on metoprolol. It did not work well with me at all, so my primary changed it to the lowest dose of carvedilol. My cardiologist increased it. Then he put me on a combination of Zetia (10 mg) and Crestor (5 mg). I can tell you that the combination of all three has put me in hell: joint pain, muscular pain, fogginess, forgetfulness, lethargy, and UTIs. As I write this, I am in bed, not because of a sudden and extreme pain in my right leg last night, muscle weakness, and the most severe cramps ever. The doc will not take me off the meds as they brought the numbers down. But I will."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Between Crestor and Lipitor, Lipitor was the one that gave me the side effects, cramps that felt like a UTI. Insomnia and a few other muscle pains here and there. Also felt it affected my libido. Doctor switched me to Crestor, so far, no side effects, maybe some bizarre dreams that some would describe as “nightmares,” but I love dreaming any type of dream.....lol....I believe finding the right statin might take a few different brands until you find the right one. I’m on 10 mg Crestor."

• JMS...
• July 16, 2021

"I was not able to stay on Zocor because it gave me leg cramps. My doctor put me on 5 mg of Crestor every other day, and after 6 weeks, my total cholesterol went from 263 to 174, and all the other numbers went down into the normal range as well-triglycerides went from the 150s to 59. And with the good HDL going from 54 to 66. My LDL/HDL ratio went from 3.3 to 1.5. I have not had any myalgia or side effects with Crestor and am glad that I can take this without any issues or needing a higher dose. I am a female in my mid-50s who does not smoke or drink, and I watch what I eat most of the time. My issue is hereditary, diet and lifestyle did not help at all without a statin. So far, so good!!"

• T-T...
• December 28, 2011

For High Cholesterol "15 minutes after taking, I would get severe leg cramps for hours. It made my good cholesterol bad, it did not work for me."