1. When was Baycol on the market in the U.S.?
  • From 1997 through August 8, 2001

2. What is Baycol?

  • Its generic name is cerivastatin. It is a member of a class of cholesterol lowering drugs commonly called "statins."

3. Who makes Baycol?

  • Bayer Corporation, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. It is the U.S. subsidiary of Bayer AG, a global corporation with headquarters in Germany.

4. What problems can Baycol cause?

  • Rhabdomyolysis

5. What harm can rhabdomyolysis cause?

  • occlusion of the structures of the kidney

  • Kidney failure can result in death.

  • Kidney damage, sometimes irreversible

  • acute tubular necrosis

  • shock (toxic)

6. What are the signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis?

  • Muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, most frequently in the calves or low back, 
    but sometimes there is no sign of muscle weakness.

  • Sometimes dark or red urine, fever, rapid heart beat, nausea, and vomiting.

7. How can I find out if I have kidney damage or other problems from Baycol?

  • See your doctor and tell him or her your concern. 
    Kidney function can be assessed by blood and urine tests.

8. Should I stop taking Baycol?

  • The FDA says yes if you have any signs of rhabdomyolysis. 
    Otherwise consult your doctor, who will probably put you on one of the other statins.

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

  • The FDA says all statins can cause rhabdomyolysis in rare cases, 
    but it is much more frequent with Baycol.

10. what are the other statins?

  • There are five: Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, Lescol, and Lipitor.

11. What should people who contact Brown & Szalller expect?

  • Brown & Szaller will send you a document package containing an attorney fee agreement, a medical information authorization, and a medical history form. We need you to sign the agreement, sign the authorization, complete the history form, and mail them back to us. Then we will discuss with each client the best options to help them.

14. What is this going to cost clients of Brown & Szaller?

  • Nothing, unless we recover money for you. 
    You have no financial risk. 
    This is made clear in the fee agreement we will send you.

 

Return to Main Baycol Article