What is Baycol?
Baycol is a prescription drug used to reduce cholesterol. Its chemical name is cerivastatin. It was sold only as Baycol in the United States, but it was sold in other countries as Lipobay, Liposterol, Cholstat, Colstat, Cerivastatine, Vaslip, Kazak, Staltor, Lipogis, and Zenas.

Who made it?
Baycol was manufactured by Bayer and sold jointly by Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline. These are both large, multi-national corporations with headquarters in both the United States and Europe.

When did it go off the market?
Baycol was withdrawn from the United States market on August 8, 2001. It was withdrawn in the rest of the world shortly afterward.

Will it be missed?
No. There are five other drugs in the same class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, as Baycol. The other five, Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, Mevacor, and Lescol, remain on the market and are widely prescribed. These other statins work as well or better than Baycol to reduce cholesterol with less risk of serious side effects.

Why was it taken off the market?
Baycol was from ten to 80 times more likely to cause a serious muscle disease called rhabdomyolysis than the other statins, depending on which one it is compared to, and it had no compensating benefit. The FDA requested its withdrawal for safety reasons. Baycol was even more dangerous when Lopid, a different kind of cholesterol-lowering drug, was prescribed to be taken with Baycol.

What harm does it do?
Baycol made many people sick with rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis starts by causing myoglobin to leech out of muscles. This usually leaves the muscles weak, aching, or painful. In severe cases, paralysis can develop. Then, when the myoglobin reaches the kidneys, a second problem can occur, because myoglobin clogs the kidneys, which can cause them to shut down. This is a life-threatening condition, and it can cause death in several different ways. Even when the rhabdomyolysis is treated promptly and effectively, some people still die, and for others the recovery can be slow and incomplete. In one of our cases, the victim is left unable to use his legs, unable to speak, brain damaged, and in need of 24-hour a day care for the rest of his life.

What kind of litigation is underway?
Lawsuits on behalf of people who developed rhabdomyolysis from Baycol have been filed all over the country. All cases handled by Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, P.L.L.C., have now been settled.

What did Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler, P.L.L.C., do in the Baycol litigation?
We joined forces with another law firm for the common benefit of our Baycol clients. As stated above, we have now settled all of our Baycol cases.

How did I have a case?
If you developed rhabdomyolysis while taking Baycol, you probably had a case. Some people developed rhabdomyolysis, but their doctors called it something else, such as myositis or myopathy. If your records supported a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis, this provided the basis for a meritorious claim, even if your doctor did not call it rhabdomyolysis at the time. We're happy to answer any questions you may still have. Contact us or call us toll-free at 1-800-822-5667.