Generic Name: simvastatin (SIM va sta tin)
Brand Names: Zocor
What's Zocor?
Zocor (simvastatin) belongs to a gaggle of medication known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." It reduces ranges of "dangerous" ldl cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, whereas rising ranges of "good" ldl cholesterol (excessive-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Zocor is used to decrease cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) within the blood.
Zocor is also used to lower the chance of stroke, heart attack, and different coronary heart problems in folks with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or different threat elements
Zocor is used in adults and kids who're a minimum of 10 years old.
Zocor might also be used for functions not listed on this remedy guide.
Important information about Zocor
In uncommon circumstances, Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor straight away you probably have unexplained muscle ache, tenderness, or weakness particularly in the event you also have fever, uncommon tiredness, and dark colored urine. By no means take Zocor in larger amounts, or for longer than advisable by your doctor. Follow your doctor's dosing directions very carefully. Taking too much of Zocor could trigger serious or life-threatening aspect effects.
There are numerous other medicine that should not be used along with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. Hold an inventory of all your medicines and present it to any healthcare supplier who treats you.
Earlier than taking Zocor, inform your physician if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you're of Chinese language descent, or in the event you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
Zocor can hurt an unborn baby or cause beginning defects. Do not use in case you are pregnant.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Zocor and result in potentially dangerous effects. Don't drink more than 1 quart of grapefruit juice daily.
Before taking Zocor
You should not take Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin, when you have liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In uncommon circumstances, Zocor can cause a condition that leads to the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, resulting in kidney failure. This condition may be extra prone to happen in older adults and in people who have kidney illness or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). You may additionally be more likely to develop this condition if you're of Chinese descent and you're taking excessive-dose Zocor while also taking medicine that incorporates niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).
The next medication can enhance your threat of significant muscle issues in case you take them along with Zocor. These medication should not be used while you are taking Zocor:
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
- danazol (Danocrine);
- gemfibrozil (Lopid);
- nefazodone (an antidepressant);
- the antibiotics clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), and telithromycin (Ketek);
- the antifungal medicines itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil); or
- the HIV/AIDS medicines atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus).
Before you start taking Zocor, tell your physician if you're already using any of these different medicines:
- amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
- diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
- amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide);
- ranolazine (Ranexa); or
- verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).
To be sure to can safely take Zocor, tell your doctor if you have any of these other circumstances:
- historical past of liver illness;
- historical past of kidney illness;
- diabetes;
- a thyroid dysfunction; or
- for those who drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
FDA pregnancy class X. Zocor can hurt an unborn baby or cause start defects. Don't take Zocor in case you are pregnant. Cease taking this medication and tell your doctor instantly if you grow to be pregnant. Use efficient contraception to keep away from being pregnant if you are taking Zocor. Simvastatin may go into breast milk and will hurt a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed when you are taking Zocor.
How should I take Zocor?
Take Zocor precisely as prescribed. Never take Zocor in bigger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Observe your physician's dosing directions very carefully. Taking too much of this remedy may cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Zocor is normally taken at bedtime or with a night meal. For those who take Zocor more than as soon as each day, take it with meals. Your doctor could sometimes change your dose to be sure you get the best results. To be sure Zocor is helping your condition and is not causing harmful results, your blood will need to be examined often. Your liver perform should be examined each three to six months. Visit your doctor regularly. You could need to take Zocor on a protracted-term basis for the therapy of high cholesterol. Chances are you'll must stop using this drugs for a short while you probably have surgery or a medical emergency. Don't stop taking Zocor unless your physician tells you to.
Zocor is only part of a whole program of therapy that additionally consists of food regimen, exercise, and weight control. Observe your weight loss plan, medication, and train routines very closely.
Store Zocor at room temperature away from moisture, warmth, and light.
What occurs if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose whether it is almost time on your next scheduled dose. Do not take further drugs to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical consideration or name the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Zocor?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice could work together with Zocor and result in potentially dangerous effects. Do not drink greater than 1 quart of grapefruit juice daily.
Keep away from consuming meals which are excessive in fats or cholesterol. Zocor will not be as efficient in lowering your cholesterol if you don't observe a ldl cholesterol-decreasing weight loss plan plan.
Keep away from ingesting alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and should enhance your danger of liver damage.
Zocor side effects
Get emergency medical help if in case you have any of these indicators of an allergic response to Zocor: hives; problem breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking Zocor and name your physician without delay when you have any of these severe side effects:
- unexplained muscle ache, tenderness, or weakness;
- fever, unusual tiredness, and dark coloured urine;
- pain or burning whenever you urinate;
- swelling, weight achieve, urinating lower than typical or by no means; or
- nausea, higher abdomen ache, itching, loss of urge for food, darkish urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the pores and skin or eyes).
Less critical Zocor unwanted side effects may embrace:
- headache;
- joint pain, gentle muscle pain;
- constipation, stomach pain or indigestion, gentle nausea;
- mild skin rash;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- chilly symptoms equivalent to stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This isn't a whole record of side effects and others may occur. Name your physician for medical advice about facet effects. You might report unwanted effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Zocor Dosing Info
Common Grownup Dose of Zocor for Hyperlipidemia:
Initial dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day within the evening.
Maintenance dose: 5 to 40 mg orally once a day within the evening.
For sufferers at high risk for a CHD event on account of present CHD, diabetes, peripheral vessel illness, historical past of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg orally once a day.
Common Adult Dose of Zocor for Cardiovascular Risk Discount:
Initial dose: 10 to 20 mg orally as soon as a day within the evening.
Upkeep dose: 5 to 40 mg orally once a day within the evening.
For patients at excessive threat for a CHD event attributable to current CHD, diabetes, peripheral vessel disease, historical past of stroke or different cerebrovascular illness, the really useful starting dose is forty mg orally once a day.
Traditional Grownup Dose of Zocor for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
Really useful dose: forty mg orally once day by day within the evening. Zocor should be used as an adjunct to other lipid decreasing treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) in these sufferers or if such remedies are unavailable.
Common Pediatric Dose of Zocor for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:
10 to 17 years:
Preliminary dose: 10 mg orally as soon as a day in the evening.
Maintenance dose: 10 to forty mg/day (the utmost advisable dose is 40 mg/day). Dosage will increase should be done at intervals of 4 weeks or more.
What other drugs will affect Zocor?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you utilize, particularly:
- colchicine (Colcrys);
- digoxin (Lanoxin);
- a blood thinner reminiscent of warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
- fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
- antifungal medicines resembling fluconazole (Diflucan) or voriconazole (Vfend);
- medicines that comprise niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others);
- drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medication, or medicines used to stop organ transplant rejection, such as sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf); or
- some other "statin" medicine comparable to atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or other remedy that contains simvastatin (Simcor, Vytorin).
This checklist is just not complete and there are many other drugs that can cause critical or life threatening medical issues in case you take them together with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This consists of prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Don't begin a brand new medicine without telling your doctor. Keep an inventory of all your medicines and present it to any well beingcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more info?
Your pharmacist can present more details about Zocor.
