Please Note: This Drug has been discontinued.
GENERIC NAME: cerivastatin
BRAND NAME: Baycol
IMPORTANT NEWS ALERT -
On August 8, 2001 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that
Bayer Pharmaceutical Division is voluntarily withdrawing Baycol (cerivastatin) from the U.S. market because of reports of
sometimes fatal rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle adverse reaction from this
cholesterol-lowering (lipid-lowering) product. The FDA agrees with and supports
this decision. All patients taking Baycol should contact their healthcare providers to discuss treatment alternatives.
To view the FDA press release, please see the recall posting "Bayer Voluntarily Withdraws Baycol" in the Medication Recall area.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Cerivastatin is a drug that lowers cholesterol in the blood by blocking the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol. It lowers total cholesterol
as well as the LDL subfraction of cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is believed to be
the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the development of
coronary artery disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards and may even reverse coronary artery disease. Cerivastatin is in the same class of drugs (HMGCoA reductase inhibitors) as atorvastatin
(Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin
(Pravachol), lovastatin
(Mevacor), and fluvastatin (Lescol). Cerivastatin was
approved by the FDA in 1997.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PRESCRIPTION: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets, 0.3mg, 0.4mg, and 0.8mg.
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature,
15-30°C (59-86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Cerivastatin
is used for the treatment of high blood cholesterol. Elevated blood cholesterol
first is treated with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and
saturated fats. If these measures fail to reduce the cholesterol adequately,
cholesterol-lowering medications such as cerivastatin may be added. The National
Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has published treatment guidelines for
using drugs such as cerivastatin. These guidelines recommend treatment depending
on the level of LDL cholesterol as well as the presence of other risk factors
such as diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, low HDL cholesterol level (the "good" cholesterol), and
family history of early coronary heart disease. The effectiveness of
cerivastatin in lowering cholesterol is dose-related, that is, the higher the dose the greater the lowering of cholesterol. Blood cholesterol
determinations are performed at regular intervals during treatment so that
the dose may be adjusted.
DOSING: Cerivastatin usually is taken once daily at bedtime. It
may be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: With other drugs in the same class as cerivastatin, the risk of
muscle damage (see below) is increased when they are
given at the same time as other medications such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune; Neoral), gemfibrozil
(Lopid), erythromycin, itraconazole
(Sporanox) and
nicotinic acid. It is assumed that cerivastatin will interact similarly.
PREGNANCY: It is not known if cerivastatin causes
harm to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. Cerivastatin may be used
in pregnancy if the physician feels that its benefits outweigh its
potential risks.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if cerivastatin is secreted in
breast milk. Therefore, the physician and patient must weigh the benefits against the potential risks of treating nursing mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS: Cerivastatin generally is well-tolerated, and side
effects are rare. Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea,
fatigue, gas, heartburn, nasal congestion, and headache. Cerivastatin
should be used with caution in patients with alcoholic or other liver
diseases. Persistently abnormal liver tests during treatment are rare but
may require discontinuation of the medication. Rare cases of muscle damage due to
inflammation (myositis) have been reported with other drugs
in the same class as cerivastatin, and is presumed also to occur with cerivastatin as well. (Muscle inflammation causes the
release of muscle protein, myoglobin, into the blood where it is carried to the kidneys and leads to kidney failure.)
Last Editorial Review: 1/16/2000 1:04:00 PM
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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