On August 8, 2001, Bayer Pharmaceutical Division voluntarily
withdrew Baycol (Cerivastatin) from the U.S. Market. Approved
by the FDA in 1997, Baycol was used to treat patients with elevated
cholesterol.
Baycol has been reported to cause muscle problems (myopathy),
rhabdomyolysis which can lead to kidney damage and death from
acute renal (kidney) failure. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can
include the following: muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise,
fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting.
Baycol is reported to have caused 31 deaths, 12 of which occurred
when patients combined the drug with gemfibrozil (Lopid and
generics), which is another cholesterol-lowering drug.
The FDA recommends that patients who are taking Baycol to consult
their doctor to discuss alternate medications to control their
cholesterol levels. For further information from the FDA, go
to: http://www.fda.gov or call 1-888-INFO-FDA.
Your Legal Rights
If you or someone you know has suffered serious side effects
(such as muscle pain, rhabdomyolysis, or kidney problems) or
a fatal injury that you believe may be related to your usage
of Baycol, you may be eligible to file a claim.
