1. Understanding Cerivastatin
Cerivastatin was a class of statin drugs used to lower high cholesterol. It also prevented cardiovascular disease in patients at high risk for heart problems. Like many statin drugs, it seemed to work really well in lowering high cholesterol and preventing heart problems; however, the side effects were devastating. It was pulled off the pharmaceutical market in 2001 because of the seriousness of the side effects.
2. Cerivastatin did More Harm Than Good
After the medication was pulled from the market in 2001, it was reported that more than 50 deaths occurred as a result of taking this medication. The medication caused many of these patients to experience renal (kidney) failure. It was soon reported that Cerivastatin patients were five to ten times more likely to suffer from side effects or die from the use of this drug. Those patients who did not die were reported as patients who had evidence of beginning renal failure and other complications that could have been life threatening.
3. The Side Effects of Cerivastatin
There were many side effects related to the use of Cerivastatin. Some of the milder side effects were nausea, diarrhea, headache, constipation and dizziness. Other more serious side effects included sore throat, extreme muscle pain and weakness, swelling, difficulty sleeping, coughing and rashes on the body. Fatal side effects included kidney failure, liver problems, pancreas problems and heart problems. This is just a few of the more common side effects. This medication affected different people in different ways and the side effects far outweighed the benefits of the medication.
4. Cerivastatin Litigation
Today, as a result of all of the problems that were caused by the Cerivastatin, patients have started litigation and law suits against the Bayer company. When the FDA decided that this drug was unsafe, Bayer agreed and withdrew it from the U.S. market. However, at this time the damage was done and many people went to see lawyers about a lawsuit. Most of these people won their case against the company. Some are still pending, but the majority of the patients who took Cerivastatin and suffered the conditions of the side effects won the court case.
5. Other Statin Drugs
After the issues stemming from Cerivastatin, many people began to question other statin drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor. Studies have found that these cholesterol lowering drugs work well in lowering bad cholesterol. However, like the Cerivastatin, there is a price to pay. Patients who take statin drugs usually have similar side effects which include muscle pain and weakness, heart problems and memory loss. If you are experiencing any type of side effect and are taking a statin drug, you should contact your doctor to discuss other options.
