Baycol Recall
Baycol FAQs
When the FDA announced the Baycol
recall on August 8, 2001 they also compiled questions
and answers for patients still taking the statin
cholesterol drug. If you have taken Baycol anti-cholesterol
drug contact us. There have been numerous Baycol lawsuits
that have resulted due to the number of deaths and reports
of the potentially fatal condition called rhabdomyolysis.
What should I do if I am taking Baycol?
What should I do if I am taking Baycol and
gemfibrozil (Lopid)?
What is rhabdomyolysis?
How do I know if I am having this
serious reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?
What should I do if I think I'm
having this reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?
What is Baycol used for?
Will I have any problems if I stop Baycol?
Are there any alternatives to Baycol?
Do the other statins have the same
safety concerns as Baycol?
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.
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.
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.
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.
What should I do if I think
I'm having this reaction (rhabdomyolysis) to Baycol?
Stop the drug immediately and call your physician.
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.
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.
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.
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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