All About Baycol

On August 8, 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Bayer Corporation was voluntarily withdrawing Baycol from the U.S. market because of reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis, a severe adverse muscle reaction following the ingestion of Baycol. The FDA received reports of 31 U.S. deaths due to severe rhabdomyolysis associated with people taking Baycol, one of a family of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs.

More than 700,000 people in this country take Baycol, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997. Baycol is in a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. Rhabdomyolysis is a risk with all statins, the most-prescribed class of drugs in America, however, the FDA has stated that drug-related deaths from rhabdomyolysis in the U.S. have been reported significantly more frequently with Baycol than for other approved statins. The FDA has also stated that it "agrees with and supports" Bayer's decision to withdraw Baycol from the market.

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that results in muscle cell breakdown and release of the contents of muscle cells into the bloodstream. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness. It has been reported that the symptoms of rhabdomyolysis have unfortunately been mis-diagnosed as flu-related symptoms.

Severe adverse muscle reactions following ingestion of Baycol can occur particularly when used at higher doses, when used in elderly patients, and when used in combination with a lipid-lowering drug known as Lopid. But the danger is not limited to the combined use of Baycol and Lopid--in fact, nineteen of the 31 U.S. deaths cited by the FDA involved the use of Baycol without Lopid.

Several lawsuits have already been filed against Bayer by the victims of Baycol-related injuries. Such lawsuits include claims for failure to warn, strict liability, negligence, and breach of warrantee. The damages being sought against Bayer Corporation include compensation for physical and mental pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost earnings and earning capacity.

If you or a loved one have suffered from injuries and/or symptoms of rhabdomyolysis (including muscle pain, tenderness and weakness) associated with the use of the drug Baycol, please contact our office or visit the "Do I Have A Case?" form for a free evaluation.

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