Cholesterol

Drug Uses

Zocor is used to lower blood cholesterol along with a cholesterol-lowering diet if your blood cholesterol level is too high.

Usage

Take Zocor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice must be avoided completely when you are taking Zocor. Zocor is also known to conflict with another drug called cholestyramine.

Missed Dose

You should try and take your doses on time taking care not to miss any. But if you do miss a dose, then skip it and continue with your regular dose. But do not take a double dose. You may also take it as soon as you remember it but ensure that you space out the remaining dose.

Storage

Store it at room temperature. Protect it from moisture and keep away from children.

Overdose

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences and hence, if you suspect an overdose then seek medical attention immediately.

More Information

It may cause liver damage. So ensure that you are constantly monitored by your doctor while taking Zocor.

Warnings/Precautions

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Alcohol and simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined. Simvastatin is generally well- tolerated. The medication should be used with caution in patients with alcohol or other liver diseases. Persistently abnormal liver tests during treatment are rare, but may lead to a discontinuation of the medication. Rare cases of muscle inflammation (myositis) and breakdown have been reported with simvastatin. Muscle breakdown causes the release of muscle protein (myoglobin) into the blood and kidney tubules, resulting in acute kidney failure. The risk of muscle breakdown is increased when simvastatin is given together with other medications such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune), gemfibrozil (Lopid), erythromycin and nicotinic acid. Simvastatin may interact with cholestyramine (Questran), warfarin (Coumadin), and cimetidine (Tagamet) to alter the blood levels of these medicines. When Coumadin is given together with simvastatin, blood clotting times require monitoring to avoid excessive blood thinning and bleeding. Simvastatin should not be used in children. Simvastatin is not habit forming.

Possible Side Effects

Simvastatin is generally well-tolerated and side effects are rare. Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, and headache. Major side effects include abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of simvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking simvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
blurred vision.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience
gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea;
cough;
headache; or
insomnia.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.