More bad news for patients on the cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor, Medco Health Solutions Inc., a consultant to United Health Care and more than one-third of Fortune 500 companies, did not include the medicine on its recommendation list for reimbursement.
The decision by Medco could mean that companies and insurers won’t pay for Crestor, or that patients on the drug will have to pay higher co-payments.
General Motors Corp., the nation’s largest self-insured company with 1.2 million beneficiaries, will reimburse for prescriptions of Crestor with higher out-of-pocket co-payments, Delaware Online reported.
“We’re going to follow the recommendation of Medco,” said GM spokeswoman Doris Powers.
United Health Care, the nation’s largest private health insurer with about 21 million members, said “it had included Crestor on its list of drugs approved for reimbursement, but at the highest of three out-of-pocket payment categories,” Delaware Online reported.
(via Delaware Online)
{ 8 comments }
I have been on Crestor since Jan. 15, 2004, My total Cholesterol at that time was 293, LDL 213 and HDL 35, as of Mar. 1, 2004, Total Chol is 142, LDL 114 and HDL 65. My Doctor states that this is a remarkable decrease. I have recently read the studies and information that has come out as of 3/4/04 regarding the new side effects of kidney failure and musle disease. I don’t know if I should continue the drug or stop. My doctor says it is up to me.
As a lipid specialist, I would recommend you stay on Crestor as long as it is 10mg or less. Have your doctor monitor your urine with a “urinalysis”, your kidneys with a “creatinine” (blood test), your liver with an “ALT” (blood test), and your muscles with a “CK” (blood test) every 3 months for the 1st year. If everything stays within or near normal (results slightly above normal are not a reason to stop the drug), I would continue with Crestor because no other statin (a type of cholesterol lowering drug which includes Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor) can lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol) like Crestor. The concerns over Crestor are extremely exaggerated, but to be on the ultra-safe side – I recommend the tests aformentioned to give you peace of mind that no harm is being done while your risk of a heart attack is being reduced significantly.
You could try cutting the dose. Apparently, with Crestor, 1/10 the dose can give 2/3 of the benefit, and presumably with much lower risk. See my message a few minutes ago here:
http://www.legalnewswatch.com/news_320.html
I was on Crestor 3 weeks, I had numbness in my head like a band, and blurred vision in one eye, two fingers were numb, a weakness and dizziness and I had no color in my face very pale and weak. I went to the hospital as I thought I was having a stroke. They gave me all kinds of tests for my heart and MRI they didn’t find anything. They took me off Crestor and put me back on my old meds. I’m back to work and I’m fine. I have no proof but I was fine before I took it and (it was given to me to try as it was suppose to have less side effects.) When I was taken off of it I returned to normal. I could not work the way I was, I thought I was dying.
I have had several side effects with Crestor. My fingers are numb and every muscle in my body hurts. Any one else experience this? My doctor just brushed me off!!
There is lots of talk about that non-LDL effects may be responsible for some of the beneficial effects of statins (See Reuters story 19Oct04 by Dr. Eric Topol.) Perhaps we don’t know everything there is to know about these drugs yet, and if so – why not stick with using the ones with most outcome evidence (Crestor lacks any outcome evidence to date) and safety track record in high risk patients most likely to benefit?
I love Crestor. I was on 40 mg Zocor along with 10 mg Zetia and my HDL was stuck under 50 / my LDL was 99. 20 mg of Crestor w/ no Zetia, HDL=50 LDL=70 no pain, normal Liver enzymes and bloodwork. Even with tier 3, I sav a bundle and get great results. Lucky me! Don’t ban the drug just because it won’t work for some.
I sometimes have severe muscle weakness in my right leg when I am in a squat position. I actually have to help myself up I’m so weak. and when I’m up almost find somewhat tender. I can still exercise on my Total Gym. However my Mother called me with lots of concern for Crestor. She is worried about the reports of death and side effects. Said she heard reports of deaths on TV. Now I’m worried need I need be?
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