The FDA recently released a statement that Crestor, a cholesterol-lowering statin manufactured by AstraZeneca could in rare cases increase the risk of a life threatening muscle disease known as rhabdomyolysis. New warnings and instructions were proposed by the company and approved by the FDA, and were sent out to doctors as part of the industry’s new approach to ensuring patients and doctors are well informed of any risks associated with their medications.

While the risk of rhabdomyolysis has been well known about with statins for some time, it appears the risk is somewhat greater in Crestor, than with some of the others in the same class such as Pfizer’s Lipitor. The new warnings signal a change in the industry, with all the recent lawsuits filed over COX-2 painkiller Vioxx’s side effects the pharmaceutical industry is taking every step possible to ensure the public is well aware of every possible side effect.

The new labeling requirements and warnings sent to doctors is a good move for both the companies and consumers. The companies are helping to protect themselves from being portrayed as evil companies hiding information from the public and the consumers are getting yet another warning about the possible side effects from their medications.