Zocor Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR OTHER
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING THIS DRUG.

BRAND NAME: Zocor

GENERIC NAME: simvastatin
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Zocor is a cholesterol- lowering medicine. It inhibits the production of cholesterol by the liver. It lowers overall blood cholesterol as well as blood LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the development of coronary artery disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and may even reverse coronary artery disease.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PREPARATIONS: tablets: 5 mg,10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: High blood cholesterol is first treated with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. When these measures fail, cholesterol-lowering medications such as Zocor can be added. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has published treatment guidelines for use of these medications. These treatment guidelines take into account the level of LDL cholesterol as well as the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, low HDL cholesterol level, and family history of early coronary heart disease. The effectiveness of the medication in lowering cholesterol is dose related. Blood cholesterol determinations are performed in regular intervals during treatment so that dosage adjustments can be made.

DOSING: May be taken on an empty or full stomach.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Zocor 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 Zocor. 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 Zocor is given together with other medications such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune), gemfibrozil (Lopid), erythromycin and nicotinic acid. Zocor may interact with cholestyramine (Questran), warfarin (Coumadin), and cimetidine (Tagamet) to alter the blood levels of these medicines. When Coumadin is given together with Zocor, blood clotting times require monitoring to avoid excessive blood thinning and bleeding. Zocor should not be used in children. Zocor is not habit forming.

PREGNANCY: Zocor should not be used by pregnant women.

NURSING MOTHERS: Zocor should not be used by nursing mothers because of potential adverse side effects to the nursing infant.

SIDE EFFECTS: Zocor 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.