Texas Simcor Lawyer

Recent studies suggest that simvastatin may be responsible for catastrophic complications. Patients who undergo a strict Simcor regimen may significantly increase their chances of developing rhabdomyolysis, a severe, life-threatening muscular complication.

Simcor Overview

Simcor gained the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be sold as a cholesterol medication on the U.S. market. Since the medication was developed by Abbott Laboratories on February 15, 2008, Simcor has been prescribed to millions of patients suffering from dangerously high cholesterol levels. Despite a proven beneficial track record, Simcor demonstrates an increased risk of myopathy, a complication that may further evolve into what healthcare providers are calling Simcor rhabdomyolysis.

Simcor is a dual formulation medication that utilizes two main active ingredients. The first of which, is known as simvastatin. Simvastatin resides in a group of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). As a statin, simvastatin reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). The second active ingredient found in Simcor is niacin. An ingredient that is widely used to increase HDL and lower triglyceride levels. Niacin, in association with simvastatin, may help regulate cholesterol levels in patients.

The inherent ability of a statin to regulate cholesterol levels remains unquestioned. However, the side effects that coincide with the prolonged use of Simcor do not demonstrate a favorable risk-benefit profile. Patients who undergo Simcor treatment may increase their risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, a severe, life-threatening muscular complication. Due to the severity of rhabdomyolysis, patients may seek compensation for their pain and suffering by filing a Simcor lawsuit.

Side Effects of Simcor

The following is a list of Simcor side effects that are currently under critical evaluation:

• Rhabdomyolysis
• Muscle damage, pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Myopathy
• Kidney failure
• Dark red urine
• Lack of energy
• Fever
• Flushing
• Blisters
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Joint pain

Due to the severity of these side effects, patients may file a potential lawsuit with a Simcor lawyer at The Clark Firm.

FDA Simcor Warning

The following FDA Consumer Update acknowledges the dangers of taking cholesterol medications that contain simvastatin:

Medications containing simvastatin, despite their ability to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke, may be responsible for an increased risk of myopathy. Myopathy is a symptom characterized by unexplained muscle weakness or pain. The further progression of myopathy may lead to rhabdomyolysis, a severe, life-threatening complication.

The FDA has insisted that the drug labels on simvastatin and Simcor include new restrictions for large doses. Accordingly, the labels of simvastatin, Vytorin and Simcor have all been revised to include dosing recommendations when these drugs are used with medicines that can increase the level of simvastatin in the body, thus increasing the risk of myopathy. But myopathy can be debilitating. Moreover, a rare form of myopathy, called rhabdomyolysis, can lead to kidney failure and death.

Simcor rhabdomyolysis is characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibers that releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. Accordingly, dead muscle fibers can induce large amounts of fluid to transfer from the blood into the muscles. If this happens, the fluid volume of the body may be significantly reduced, leading to shock and low blood flow to the kidneys. An event such as this can prove to be catastrophic to a kidney. Renal failure, or kidney failure as it is known, occurs when the kidney is unable to remove excess and harmful myoglobin compounds. As a result, the kidney fails to operate properly and poses a potentially fatal threat to the patient. Do to the severity of rhabdomyolysis, many patients may seek compensation for their pain and suffering by filing a Simcor lawsuit.