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Baycol and Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is extremely rare as a drug side effect, but
has been found to be associated with the use of one statin
drug, cerivastatin or Baycol. It is most commonly seen
after massive muscle trauma (after an auto accident, for instance,)
or as a chief component of heat stroke. The muscle protein
or myogloblin released during rhabdomyolysis becomes entrapped
in the kidneys, clogging up the filtering process of the kidneys,
leading to kidney or renal failure and other organ system
disorders. As the muscles degenerate, phosphokinase and myogloblin
are released into the bloodstream.
Rhabdomyolysis Symptoms
The pain caused by Rhabdomyolysis may involve specific groups
of muscles or may be generalized throughout the body. Most
frequently the involved muscle groups are the calves and lower
back; however, some patients report no symptoms of muscle
injury. In some cases, the symptoms of rhabdomyolysis were
mistaken for the flu, and the cause of the patient's illness
not recognized as associated with Baycol.
Fatal rhabdomyolysis reports with Baycol have been reported
most frequently when used at higher doses, when used in elderly
patients, and particularly, when used in combination with
gemfibrozil (LOPID and generics), another lipid lowering drug.
The FDA has received reports of 52 U.S. deaths due to severe
rhabdomyolysis associated with use of Baycol, 12 of which
involved concomitant gemfibrozil use.
Baycol and Rhabdomyolysis
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