Zocor contain Simvastatin a cholesterol-lowering medication that is used to treat high cholesterol by lowering high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which helps reduce risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body, however, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and increasing risk of heart disease. Simvastatin in Zocor reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver, by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Zocor lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked, and also increases levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries. Zocor only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Zocor.
The recommended dose range of Zocor (Simvastatin) is 10 mg to 40 mg, and it is administered once daily in the evening with or without food. Therapy usually is initiated with 10 or 20 mg daily, but individuals who have a high risk of heart disease can be started on 40 mg daily. Simvastatin is restricted to patients who have been taking simvastatin 80 mg chronically (for example, for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity because the 80 mg dose is associated with increased risk of muscle toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis. Patients who are currently tolerating the 80 mg dose of simvastatin who need to start an interacting drug that should not be taken with simvastatin or is associated with a dose cap for simvastatin should be switched to an alternative statin or statin-based regimen with less potential for the drug-drug interaction. Patients that require more than the 40 mg dose should be switched to an alternative drug.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: Constipation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever and fatigue); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; yellowing of skin or eyes.
