Zocor

Generic Name: simvastatin (SIM va sta tin)
Brand Names: Zocor

What is Zocor?

Zocor is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Simvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Zocor is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.

Zocor is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors

Zocor is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Zocor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Zocor

You should not take Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease. Stop taking Zocor and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Zocor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

There are many other drugs that can increase your risk of serious medical problems if you take them together with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Zocor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Before taking Zocor

You should not take Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

If you have any of these other conditions, your doctor may need adjust the dose of Zocor or order special tests:

history of liver disease;
history of kidney disease;
diabetes;
a thyroid disorder; or
if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). You may also be more likely to develop this condition if you are of Chinese descent and you take high-dose Zocor while also taking medication that contains niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
danazol (Danocrine);
nefazodone (an antidepressant);
gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal);
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem) or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
HIV medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and others;
medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

FDA pregnancy category X. Zocor can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take Zocor if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking Zocor. Simvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Zocor.

How should I take Zocor?

Take Zocor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Zocor is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If you take Zocor more than once daily, take it with meals. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. You may need to stop using Zocor for a short time if you have surgery or a medical emergency.

To be sure Zocor is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Zocor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need to take Zocor on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Zocor dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Zocor?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Zocor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Zocor and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Zocor side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zocor: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Zocor and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
pain or burning when you urinate;
swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Zocor side effects may include:

headache;
mild muscle pain;
joint pain;
constipation;
mild nausea;
stomach pain or indigestion;
mild skin rash;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Zocor side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Zocor?

Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially:

digoxin (Lanoxin);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
any other "statin" medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or other medication that contains simvastatin (Simcor, Vytorin).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zocor.

What does my medication look like?

Simvastatin is available with a prescription under the brand name Zocor. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Zocor 5 mg - shield-shaped, buff, film-coated tablets
Zocor 10 mg - shield-shaped, peach-colored, film-coated tablets
Zocor 20 mg - shield-shaped, tan, film-coated tablets

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

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