I found my shot and cholesterol blood sugar through the roof. My doctor suggested I switch to Crestor. That this drug also affect blood sugar?
R. You are not the first person to note that some cholesterol-lowering drugs may increase the levels of blood sugar. Another reader reported that after taking Crestor, the number of type 2 diabetes also “hit the roof.” He also reported: “My hands, feet and hands tingle as I could not stand it.”
The official prescribing information for Lipitor and Crestor to mention high blood sugar as a possible side effect. A large study of over 17,000 patients (Júpiter test) reported a higher incidence of diabetes in subjects who Crestor (New England Journal of Medicine, November 20, 2008).
Researchers are not sure if this is a true complication of statin-type drugs or just a coincidence. Meanwhile, it remains important to monitor cholesterol and that she and diabetes may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
I am a diabetic type 2. I have been on Lipitor for more than 12 years after a heart attack and for all those years I have fought a battle with my blood sugar. I exercise and eat well, but remains high. My doctor kept raising my oral medications for diabetes and has now added two different types of insulin. Recently I was out for a few days and forgot my Lipitor. I could not take it for a week and during that time my blood sugar returned to normal and I did not have to take insulin at all because I was so low. Now I feel that Lipitor is the reason for my high blood sugar, but I have to take a statin drug because I have had a heart attack and my cardiologist believes that this drug is a lifesaver. I am very confused. I do not want to take Lipitor, but I know that protects my heart. If I still have high levels of blood sugar that can damage my heart. It is a very confusing situation.