Drug Groups

withdrawn

Description

On August 8, 2001 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Bayer Pharmaceutical Division voluntarily withdrew Baycol from the U.S. market, due to reports of fatal Rhabdomyolysis, a severe adverse reaction from this cholesterol-lowering (lipid-lowering) product. It has also been withdrawn from the Canadian market.

Indication

Used as an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb) when the response to dietary restriction of saturated fat and cholesterol and other non-pharmacological measures alone has been inadequate.

Pharmacology

Cerivastatin, a competitive HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, is used to treat primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson types IIa and IIb).

Toxicity

Rhabdomyolysis, liver concerns

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic. Biotransformation pathways for cerivastatin in humans include the following: demethylation of the benzylic methyl ether to form Ml and hydroxylation of the methyl group in the 6'-isopropyl moiety to form M23.

Absorption

The mean absolute oral bioavailability 60% (range 39 - 101%).

Half Life

2-3 hours

Protein Binding

More than 99% of the circulating drug is bound to plasma proteins (80% to albumin).

References

External Links