Baycol (Cerivastatin (Removed from Market 8/2001)) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Baycol

Statins (How They Work, Side Effects and Interactions) »

What are statins and how do they work?

Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of drugs that reduce cholesterol in individuals who have dyslipidemia (abnormal fats in the blood) and thus are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia may involve an elevation of total cholesterol, a reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and/or triglycerides, or a reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in blood. Statins work by blocking the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for making cholesterol. This enzyme is called hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase).

Cholesterol is described as a soft wax-like fatty substance that is found in the blood stream and in cells. It is important to note that cholesterol is a naturally existing substance in all individuals from birth and its presence is actually necessary for promoting an overall healthy body. About 75% of cholesterol is produced by the liver and oth...

Read the Statins (How They Work, Side Effects and Interactions) article »

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Baycol

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

BAYCOL®
(cerivastatin sodium) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Cerivastatin sodium is sodium [S-[R*,S*-(E)]]-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methoxymethyl)-2,6bis(1-methylethyl)-3-pyridinyl]-3,5-dihydroxy-6-heptenoate. The empirical formula for cerivastatin sodium is C₂₆H₃₃FNO₅Na and its molecular weight is 481.5. It has the following chemical structure:

BAYCOL® (cerivastatin sodium) Structural Formula Illustration

Cerivastatin sodium is a white to off-white hygroscopic amorphous powder that is soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol, and very slightly soluble in acetone.

Cerivastatin sodium is an entirely synthetic, enantiomerically pure inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. HMG-CoA reductase catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an early and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

BAYCOL® (cerivastatin sodium tablets) is supplied as tablets containing 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.8 mg of cerivastatin sodium, for oral administration. Active Ingredient: cerivastatin sodium. Inactive Ingredients: mannitol, magnesium stearate, sodium hydroxide, crospovidone, povidone, iron oxide yellow, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

What are the possible side effects of cerivastatin (Baycol)?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking cerivastatin and call your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
muscle aches, pain, or weakness;
a fever;
"flu-like" symptoms;
decreased urine or rust-colored urine;
blurred vision; or
yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur....

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Baycol »

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/17/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.