Baycol and Statin Information
Baycol was intended as a cholesterol-lowering drug part of
a class of drugs called statins. At the time of the Baycol
recall 8 million Americans were taking statins and the
drug treatment was viewed as a revolutionary treatment. Statins
work to inhibit an enzyme in the liver that generates cholesterol
that can clog blood vessels. Cholesterol production in the
liver is reduced by statins when they interfere with an enzyme
called HMG CoA reductase. Statins are the most widely prescribed
class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, but the Baycol
recall showed the dangers that the once widely marketed
statin can cause. All statins have been associated to the
deadly and rare condition rhabdomyolysis,
but Baycol was found to have an increased likelihood of causing
rhabdomyolysis than the other statin drugs.
The Baycol recall prompted many patients to discontinue their
use of alternative statin drugs as well, however there are
still five other statins available on the market. The consumer
advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA after the
Baycol recall in August 2001 to add a black box warning, the
FDA's strongest issued warning, to the label of some of the
other statins to warn patients of the possible side effects,
including rhabdomyolysis.
The Public Citizen petition stated that there have been an
additional 50 deaths due to other statin drugs than Baycol.
At the time of the Baycol recall analysts were confident
statins would continue to do well as it was one of the fastest
growing segments of the drug industry. Baycol had been expected
to hit $875 million in 2001. After the Baycol recall, the
manufacture of Baycol, Bayer, has been struggling to survive.
Numerous Baycol lawsuits and class actions have resulted from
the serious and deadly side effects linked to statin use that
has been directly linked to the use of Baycol.
If you have used the statin
Baycol and would like to speak with a Baycol lawyer, contact
us.
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