What should I do if I am presently taking Baycol?

If you are using Baycol as part of medication, contact your doctor to deliberate an alternative treatment. If you are a user of rhabdomyolysis and experiencing muscle pains, stop from taking Baycol right away and contact your doctor for further instructions.

What should I do if I am taking Baycol and gemfibrozil (Lopid)?

If you are taking Baycol and gemfibrozil (LOPID), stop using Bacol immediately and contact your doctor for further instructions.

What is rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon condition which is characterized by severe damage in muscles that causes the emission of muscle cell substances into the bloodstream. In very rare cases, rhabdomyolysis may lead to damage to the kidney and other organ injuries which may be deadly.

How do I know if I have rhabdomyolysis?

Patients who have rhabdomyolysis usually have muscle pains in their calves, back or throughout the body.  The pain may be accompanied by dark urine, weakness, vomiting, nausea, and fever. However, if you are experiencing any signs, you must contact your doctor immediately.

What is Baycol used to treat?

Baycol is a drug that intends to reduce cholesterol and belongs to drug classification known as “statins.” It is prescribed to lower your cholesterol and reduce potential heart diseases.

Will I have any problem if I stop using Baycol?

If you were prescribed with Baycol to reduce your cholesterol level, your cholesterol may return to where they were before you began using Baycol.  These changes will not happen immediately but may happen after two days to weeks. If you discontinue taking Baycol, make sure that you consult and discuss it with your doctor some alternative treatments to reduce your cholesterol levels.

Is there any alternative to Baycol?

Yes, there are five alternative medicines in the same classification called “statins” which are available in US market. They are atorvastatin or Lipitor, fluvastatin or Lescol, lovastatin or Mevacor, pravastatin or Pravachol, and simvastatin or Zocor.  There are other approved medicines to reduce cholesterol level that are not statins. Consult first your doctor to identify the right treatment for you.

Do other statins present the same safety concerns as Baycol?

All the statins are related with rhabdomyolysis. These are uncommon cases when the drugs are taken alone or in combination with other lipid-reducing medicine like gemfibrozil. There are also some cases of deadly rhabdomyolysis which are related with Baycol and usually related to other approved statins.