A new study may lead to the cholesterol-lowering medication, Crestor, being removed from shelves, as it may have an even greater affect on the kidneys and muscles than previously thought.

The drug is made by AstraZeneca PLC, and in March, the FDA stated that Crestor's risks were no greater than its competitors.

However, the FDA ordered a warning on the label, saying Crestor "could cause serious muscle problems and kidney damage, especially among Asians," according to the FDA.

This new study was based on side effects reported to the FDA, claims that "kidney problems and muscle weakness" were two to eight times more frequent among Crestor users than those taking compedator cholesterol-lowering medications like Lipitor, Zocor and Pravachol.

According to MedPageToday, AstraZeneca PLC said in a statement: "We strongly disagree with the conclusions of this study."

Richard H. Karas, M.D., Ph.D., director of preventive cardiology and the Woman's Heart Center at Tuft-New England Medical Center, who was involved with the study, said, "This is not the type of risk that will impact the clinical care of a single patient. It is the impact on populations that is of concern."

Yet, Dr. Karas cautioned that, "the increased risk appears early in Crestor treatment and at low doses. [10 mg]"