Zocor

Zocor Drug Information

• Zocor Overview

  Simvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help Zocor work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

• How to Use Zocor

  Take Zocor by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the evening. If you are using the tablet form of Zocor, you may take Zocor with or without food. If you are using the liquid form of Zocor, take Zocor on an empty stomach. Shake the bottle well for at least 20 seconds before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. The Dosage of Zocor is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). The usual maximum dose for Zocor is 40 milligrams a day. If you have been instructed by your doctor to take more than 40 milligrams, continue on that same dose. However, promptly talk with him or her about the risks and benefits of your higher dose. Do not increase your dose or take Zocor more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using Zocor unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of Zocor in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Take Zocor regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking Zocor even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of Zocor.

• Zocor Precautions

  Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Zocor may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Zocor, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with simvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Zocor, especially muscle problems. Zocor must not be used during pregnancy. Simvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Zocor. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking Zocor. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. It is unknown if Zocor passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Zocor is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Zocor Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Zocor, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Zocor Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval."blood thinners" (such as warfarin), cyclosporine, danazol, gemfibrozil. Other medications can affect the removal of simvastatin from your body, which may affect how simvastatin works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), boceprevir, cobicistat, colchicine, delavirdine, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir), telaprevir, telithromycin, among others. Chinese people should not take niacin at doses used to lower cholesterol (1 gram or more) when taking Zocor. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects (especially muscle problems). Talk with your doctor for details. Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking simvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking simvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

• Zocor Side Effects

  Remember that your doctor has prescribed Zocor because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Zocor do not have serious side effects. A very small number of people taking simvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor. Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. Zocor may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Females, older adults, and Chinese people may be at higher risk.muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). Zocor may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects,yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting. A very serious allergic reaction to Zocor is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

  List of Zocor side effects

• Zocor Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Storage temperature ranges differ according to different manufacturers, so consult your pharmacist for more information. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Discard the suspension form of Zocor one month after opening the bottle, even if there is medication left. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Zocor when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.