Simvastatin(zocor) is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin". It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, this drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Simvastatin(zocor) is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older). Young girls must have had their menstrual periods for at least one year before starting this medication.
Generic Name: simvastatin (SIM va stah tin)
Brand Names: Zocor
What is Zocor?
Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
Zocor reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Zocor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Zocor
In rare cases, Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not take Zocor if you have liver disease or if you are breast-feeding.
Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a blood disorder:
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 while taking Zocor. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Zocor.
There are many other drugs that can interact with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Before taking Zocor
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to simvastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.
Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
diabetes;
underactive thyroid;
kidney disease; or
a muscle disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Zocor.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use Zocor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether Zocor passes into breast milk. Do not take Zocor without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Zocor is not for use in children younger than 10 years of age.
How should I take Zocor?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take Zocor with a full glass of water. Zocor is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If you take Zocor several times daily, take it with meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
In rare cases, Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
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 Zocor at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of Zocor is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
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 while taking Zocor. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Zocor.
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: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Zocor and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Zocor?
Many drugs can interact with Zocor. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
danazol (Danocrine);
gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
nefazodone (Serzone);
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, others), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicine or steroids, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), and others;
HIV or AIDS medication such as amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zocor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using 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.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. 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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
