The Bayer Corporation produces Baycol, a drug prescribed to control cholesterol. Baycol is also known as Lipobay or cerivastatin sodium. On August 8, 2001 the company announced that it was halting production of Baycol due to the alarming number of serious side effects and other adverse events associated with the drug. At least 100 people have died after taking Baycol.

Baycol is a member of the statin family of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Bayer pulled the drug from the market because of Baycol's association with myositis and rhabdomyolysis, conditions characterized by severe muscle weakening, soreness, and kidney damage. The risk is especially high for women over 65 years of age, and for those who take Gemfibrozil (lopid), another cholesterol lowering drug, in conjunction with Baycol. Furthermore, using the antibiotic Biaxin (clarithromycin), the anti-fungal drug Nizoral (ketoconazole), or the blood thinning drug Coumadin (warfarin), concurrently with Baycol, may increase the risk of developing myositis and rhabdomyolysis. The use of Baycol has also been associated with liver abnormalities.

The Food & Drug Administration approved Baycol in 1997.

Bayer has spent nearly $500 million in out of court settlements over Baycol.

See your doctor if you have experienced serious health problems after taking Baycol. In addition, it may be important to contact a Baycol side effects lawyer who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.

Baycol Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What should I do if I am taking Baycol?
2. What should I do if I am taking Baycol and gemfibrozil (Lopid)?
3. What is rhabdomyolysis?
4. How do I know if I am having this serious reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?
5. What should I do if I think I’m having this reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?
6. What is Baycol used for?
7. Will I have any problems if I stop Baycol?
8. Are there any alternatives to Baycol?
9. Do the other statins have the same safety concerns as Baycol?

1. What should I do if I am taking Baycol?

If you are taking Baycol, contact your physician to discuss alternative medications. If you are taking Baycol and experience muscle pain, discontinue Baycol immediately and contact your physician for further advice.

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2. What should I do if I am taking Baycol and gemfibrozil (Lopid)?

If you are taking Baycol and gemfibrozil (LOPID), discontinue the Baycol immediately and contact your physician for further advice.

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3. What is rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is a very rare condition where serious muscle damage results in release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. On very rare instances, rhabdomyolysis may result in kidney damage and other organ damage which may be fatal.

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4. How do I know if I am having this serious reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?

Patients who develop rhabdomyolysis often have muscle aches involving their calves, back, or their entire body. The pain may be accompanied by weakness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and passing of dark urine.

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5. What should I do if I think I’m having this reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?

Stop the drug immediately and call your physician

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6. What is Baycol used for?

Baycol is a cholesterol-lowering drug belonging to a class of drugs known as “statins”. It is prescribed to reduce your cholesterol and to reduce your risk of heart disease.

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7. Will I have any problems if I stop Baycol?

If you were prescribed Baycol to lower your cholesterol, these levels may go back to where they were before you received the drug. These changes will not occur immediately but will most likely occur over a couple of days to weeks. If you stop Baycol, be sure to consult your physician to discuss alternative therapies for lowering your cholesterol.

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8. Are there any alternatives to Baycol?

There are five (5) other drugs in the same class (statins) available in the U.S. market. They are atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor). There are also other drugs approved for lowering cholesterol that are not statin drugs. You should consult you physician to determine which treatment is right for you.

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9. Do the other statins have the same safety concerns as Baycol?

All statins have been associated with very rare reports of rhabdomyolysis. These rare cases can occur when the drugs are used alone or in combination with another lipid-lowering drug such as gemfibrozil. However, cases of fatal rhabdomyolysis in association with Baycol use have been reported more frequently than other approved statins.

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Baycol: In the News

1. 11-22-04: Study: Baycol risks greater than believed
   
   Older adults with diabetes using Baycol, a cholesterol-lowering statin drug, is said to increase risk when combined with other drugs called fibrates. It is stated one out of 10 patients taking this combination for a year would develop the muscle disorder. »Read more

2. FDA: Baycol Information

   Read more on what the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has to say on the prescription Baycol. »Read more

3. FDA: Baycol: Questions and Answers
4. Learn why Baycol is used, what to do if you are using Baycol, how to tell and what to do if you are having a serious reaction and more. »Read more

5. 08-13-2001: The Baycol recall - what it means
   
   The Bayer pharmaceutical company withdrew Baycol, a statin drug known for causing the muscle disorder, rhabdomyolysis. A warning to all users: anyone combining Baycol and a lipid-lowering agent are at a much greater risk of developing muscle problems. »Read more

6. 08-08-01: Deaths Spur Cholesterol Drug Recall
   
   Baycol, a cholesterol-lowering drug used by 700,000 Americans, was taken off the market Wednesday after reports showed 31 patients taking Baycol had died from a severe muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis. »Read more

7. Baycol Linked to 52 Deaths
   
   Germany's Bayer said on Monday 52 people are thought to have died after taking the anti-cholesterol product Baycol, its fastest-growing drug. »Read more

8. FDA News: Bayer Voluntarily Withdraws Baycol. »Read more