Cholesterol lowering drugs linked to muscle injury

Our Simcor, Vytorin and Zocor injury lawyers are investigating claims of severe muscle injury with use of the cholesterol lowering drugs. The injury is called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death, when simvastatin containing drugs like Simcor, Vytorin and Zocor are used with amiodarone, medication used to treat irregular heart beat.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS RHABDOMYOLYSIS

Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and frequently result in kidney damage.

Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis

  • Abnormal urine color(dark, red, or cola colored)
  • General weakness
  • Muscle stiffness or aching (myalgia)
  • Muscle tenderness
  • Weakness of the affected muscles

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Seizures
  • Weight gain (unintentional)

WHAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT SIMVASTATIN RELATED RHABDOMYOLYSIS

  • Amiodarone is used to control a heart rhythm problem and simvastatin is used to lower cholesterol.
  • Simvastatin interacts with amiodarone and can cause a rare muscle injury condition called rhabdomyolysis. This condition can lead to kidney failure and possibly death.
  • If you are taking amiodarone and a cholesterol-lowering drug product containing simvastatin, you should not take more than 20 mg of simvastatin each day because your risk of developing rhabdomyolysis increases.
  • If you are starting therapy with simvastatin, or your dose of simvastatin is being increased, contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of unexplained muscle injury, such as muscle cramps, pain, tenderness, stiffness or spasm.

CONTACT A SIMCOR, VYTORIN AND ZOCOR LAWYER NOW!

If you or a loved one suffered from a serious adverse reaction from the use of Simcor, Vytorin or Zocor, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call 1-866-311-2230 and a Simcor, Vytorin, and Zocor lawyer will contact you within 24 hours.


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One Response to Cholesterol lowering drugs linked to muscle injury

  1. Bobby Jones May 3, 2012 at 9:47 am #

    My doctor gave me simcor for a short period and I took myself
    off because the muscle cramps were so severe I could stand it.
    It has affected my sciatic and all of the muscles down both legs.
    I had to have an epidural and it has helped somewhat but I have
    a long way to go. Is there anything that I can do to restore the damaged muscles?

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