Cerivastatin
Information about Cerivastatin
Cerivastatin uses
Cerivastatin is used in the treatment of high cholesterol.
How cerivastatin works
Cerivastatin is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required in the body to make cholesterol. It thus lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, raising the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL).
Common side effects of cerivastatin
Constipation, Headache, Weakness, Muscle pain, Stomach pain
Available Medicine for Cerivastatin
Expert advice for Cerivastatin
- Cerivastatin has been withdrawn from the market due to the risk of fatal muscle reaction (rhabdomyolysis) and kidney failure associated with this medication.
Frequently asked questions for Cerivastatin
Cerivastatin
Q. What is Cerivastatin?
Cerivastatin belongs to a class of medicines called statins that lower the cholesterol in the blood. It is used along with a healthy diet and exercise to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the amount of good cholesterol in the blood. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the liver in order to decrease the amount of cholesterol that accumulates on the walls of the arteries.
Q. Why was Cerivastatin withdrawn from the market?
Cerivastatin was withdrawn from the market because of 52 deaths attributed to drug-related rhabdomyolysis, a very rare life-threatening type of muscle damage that leads to kidney failure.
Q. What is rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is a very rare life-threatening type of muscle damage that leads to kidney failure. In addition to pain, people who develop rhabdomyolysis may experience darkened urine, reduced kidney function, and even kidney failure. It can progress to liver damage, and may result in death without proper treatment.