Baycol Lawyer, Baycol Attorney

Baycol

Baycol was one of a class of drugs called statins, that work to inhibit an enzyme in the liver which generates the kind of cholesterol that can clog blood vessels. Baycol, introduced in the U.S. in 1997, was marketed by Bayer as an effective statin. Baycol and gemfibrozil were often jointly administered because Baycol could lower total cholesterol while gemfibrozil could improve the balance of triglycerides and HDL, or “good,” cholesterol. The dual prescription was particularly common for patients with diabetes.

The FDA recommends that patients who were taking Baycol consult with their physicians about switching to alternate medications to control their cholesterol levels.

Rhabdomyolysis and Baycol Side Effects

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a large number of skeletal muscle cells die, which results in the release of a massive amount of muscle protein (known as myogloblin) into the bloodstream. The muscle protein can become trapped in the kidneys, clogging up the filtering process of the kidneys and leading to kidney or renal failure. In addition, potassium released from the damaged muscle cells can cause malignant heart rhythms resulting in cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine, nausea, and vomiting. The pain may involve specific groups of muscles or may be generalized throughout the body.