About Prescription Drug Zocor
The information below should not be taken as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking Zocor.
Zocor is used to treat high cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Zocor is also used in the treatment of people at high risk for cardiovascular disease for other reasons, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Zocor is a drug in a category of medications called "statins." Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase. This enzyme is important in the synthesis of cholesterol; inhibiting it decreases total cholesterol levels and levels of "bad cholesterol," or LDL. Zocor and other statin drugs also increase levels of "good cholesterol," or HDL.
Zocor is usually taken in the evening, with a meal. While taking Zocor, your doctor will probably instruct you to eat foods low in cholesterol and fat. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor cholesterol levels and liver enzyme levels when taking Zocor.
Do not take Zocor with alcohol, especially if you drink more than two drinks per day. If you are taking Zocor, do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Chemicals in the grapefruit products can interfere with Zocor and cause adverse reactions. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking while you are taking Zocor.
Side effects of Zocor include headache, joint or muscle pain, indigestion, nausea, constipation, cold symptoms, sleep problems, and skin rash. More serious rare side effects of Zocor that require immediate medical attention include liver and kidney problems. People with previous kidney problems, previous liver problems, hypothyroidism, and people of Chinese descent are more likely to experience severe side effects when taking Zocor.
| Form: |
Tablet taken orally. |
| Strength: |
5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablets. |
| Storage: |
Room temperature. Keep away from moisture and heat. |
| Contraindications: |
Patients allergic to simvastatin, patients with liver or kidney disease, patients with hypothyroidism. |
| Generic Name: |
Simvastatin |
What is Simvastatin?
Simvastatin is the generic equivalent of Zocor and can be purchased as a cheaper alternative to save money on your medication. The same active ingredients are used in the manufacturing of the brand name version of this drug as in Simvastatin.
