Baycol Claims Settled >
Baycol Side Effects Lawyer
Baycol:
Finding a Baycol Side Effects Lawyer
If you are looking
for a Baycol side effects lawyer, you should make sure they
are fully familiar with the latest developments and data regarding
the settlements and trials. Depending on which country you live in,
there are particular trials underway this year, and the attorney you
choose should be well informed of the latest developments.
In 2003 and 2004,
there have been a number of Baycol claims settled in the U.S. - These
settlements have been involving injuries related to a condition called
rhabdomyolysis, which the patients developed after taking the drug.
Baycol is a prescription
drug manufactured by Bayer A.G. Pharmaceutical. Baycol (cerivastatin)
was initially approved in the U.S. in 1997 to treat patients with
elevated cholesterol levels. Baycol belongs to the family of drugs
reffered to as statins: Statins lower cholesterol by blocking a specific
enzyme in the body that is involved in the sythesis of cholesterol.
Baycol was recalled
on August 8, 2001 following the passing away of 31 patients taking
the drug in the U.S. Fifty-two deaths had been reported worldwide.
These had been caused by rhabdomyolysis, a muscle condition/ailment
that had been known to be a possible side effect of all statin drugs,
however, its incidence has been much higher and more serious among
Baycol patients. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where the muscle cells
are damaged, thus releasing a pigment called myoglobin into the bloodstream.
The kidneys, being a filtering mechanism, suffer excessive stress
in attempting to filter the myoglobin out of the blood. This can possibly
lead to kidney failure. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle
pain, weakness, tenderness, malaise, fever, dark urine, nausea, and
vomiting. The pain may involve specific groups of muscles or may be
generalized throughout the body.
Following is an
Associated Press article from March 10, 2004:
Bayer
Reaches Deal On Cholesterol Drug
03/10/04 - German
drug maker Bayer AG has reached an agreement with most of its insurers
on coverage of around $1.2 billion for litigation related to the
2001 withdrawal of a cholesterol-lowering drug.
In a statement
Tuesday night, Bayer also said it had put aside 300 million euros
($369 million) in its 2003 fiscal year to cover additional settlements
and defense costs. The insurers "had previously proceeded only
on a provisional basis," the company said.
Bayer pulled
Lipobay, marketed as Baycol in the United States, in August 2001
after it was linked to a rare muscle-wasting syndrome and about
100 patient deaths.
On Tuesday,
the Leverkusen-based company said it has now reached 2,224 cases
related to the drug, paying out $842 million without admitting liability.
Another 9,948
cases were pending in the United States as of March 5, Bayer said.
"Where
facts have been developed in the course of the litigation, it so
far appears that the vast majority of plaintiffs did not suffer
serious side-effects," its statement said.
If you have an
interest in the Baycol lawsuits, it is much to your advantage to contact
a Baycol side effects lawyer who advertises having experience and
knowledge in Baycol litigation info.
ref:
Julie Kay, "A Sudden Rush to Settle Suits Over Baycol" Miami
Daily Business Review - 2-26-2003
