baycol

Baycol was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2001.

Baycol blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.

Baycol is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol in your blood. Baycol also reduces the amounts of triglycerides (another type of fat) and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood and increases the amount of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Baycol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Baycol was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2001.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever or flu-like symptoms or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Do not take Baycol without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease. Alcohol and Baycol can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if Baycol is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol. Do not take Baycol if you are pregnant, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Who should not take Baycol?

Do not take Baycol without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.

Before taking Baycol, tell your doctor if you

• drink alcoholic beverages,

• have kidney disease,

• have a chronic muscular disease, or

• have seizures or epilepsy.

You may not be able to take Baycol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Baycol is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Baycol will cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important for the proper development of a baby. Do not take Baycol if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. Baycol passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing infant. Do not take Baycol if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Baycol?

Take Baycol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To see beneficial effects from Baycol, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods. Follow your doctor"s directions.

Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with Baycol, at six and twelve weeks after both the start of your treatment and any increase in dose, and periodically (every 6 months) thereafter. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Baycol. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Do not stop taking Baycol without first talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects from this medication are seen.

Store Baycol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of Baycol.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose of Baycol are not known.

What should I avoid?

Alcohol and Baycol can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if Baycol is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Baycol. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Baycol side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Baycol 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. Continue to take Baycol and talk to your doctor if you experience

• gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea;

• dizziness;

• headache; or

• a rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Baycol?

Do not take Baycol without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);

• gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);

• niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);

• erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin); or

• itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral).

The medications listed above may interact with Baycol and damage your muscles. Generally, these medicines are not used together.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Baycol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.