Brand Name

Zocor {Merck}

Generic Name

simvastatin, pronounced SIM va sta tin

 

What is Zocor?

Zocor is a medication that can help to lower your cholesterol, especially your “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. Zocor may also help to raise your “good” cholesterol and help to lower your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications.

 

Key Facts About Zocor

Zocor is in a class of medications called statins, which work by slowing down the production of cholesterol in your body. This helps to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of your arteries, which could block the blood flow to your heart and brain.

Zocor may help to reduce your low-density lipoprotein {LDL}, also known as your “bad” cholesterol.

Zocor may help to raise your high-density lipoprotein {HDL}, also known as your “good” cholesterol.

Zocor may be prescribed to help lower your levels of a type of fat in the blood stream or the blood tissue, called triglycerides.

Your doctor may have prescribed Zocor for you to help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications. This is important if you have risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

In rare cases, Zocor can cause a condition that causes a breakdown of skeletal muscletissue, which leads to kidney failure. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, especially if you also have a fever, extreme tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Zocor is approved to treat adults and children who are age 10 and older.

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

 

Before You Take Zocor

You should not take Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Zocor. Zocor is in FDA pregnancy category X. Zocor can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, and be sure to use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking Zocor.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or a thyroid disorder before taking Zocor.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects if you are taking Zocor. Your consumption of alcohol may also raise your triglyceride levels.

If you are Asian you should inform your doctor. Some people of Asian descent may absorb Zocor more quickly than other people. If you are of Asian descent your doctor may want to start you at a lower dose of Zocor.

Zocor can rarely cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, particularly if you also have unusual tiredness, a fever or dark colored urine. This condition is more likely to occur in older adults, people with kidney disease, or poorly controlled hypothyroidism. If you are of Chinese descent and you take high doses of Zocor while also taking medication that contains niacin, such as Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, or Slo-Niacin, you may also be at a greater risk for this skeletal muscle breakdown.

Certain medications may increase your risk of serious muscle problems if you take them together with Zocor. Tell your doctor if you take any of the following drugs:

• antibiotics clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antifungal medications itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• danazol (Danocrine)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• hepatitis C medications such as boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek)
• HIV/AIDS medications atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase), or tipranavir (Aptivus)
• nefazodone (an antidepressant)
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may lead to potentially harmful side effects. If you are taking Zocor discuss your consumption of grapefruit products with your doctor.

 

Zocor Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• amlodipine
• Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide)
• antifungal medications itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil)
• blood thinners warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• colchicine (Colcrys)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• danazol (Danocrine)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Diltzac, Taztia, Tiazac)
• fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide)
• fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• hepatitis C medications such as boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek)
• HIV/AIDS medications atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase), or tipranavir (Aptivus)
• nefazodone (an antidepressant)
• niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin)
• ranolazine (Ranexa)
• sirolimus (Rapamune)
• Statin medications atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or other medications that contain simvastatin (Simcor, Vytorin).
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Zocor. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Zocor

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

Zocor is usually taken with an evening meal or at bedtime.

Zocor should be taken with meals if you take more than one dose daily.

Visit your doctor regularly to be sure that you are getting the best results from your dose. You will need to have your blood tested on a regular basis to be sure that Zocor is not causing you harm and is giving you the best results.

You may need to stop taking Zocor on a long-term basis for a surgical or medical emergency. Your doctor will inform you of when you should begin taking Zocor again. Do not start or stop taking Zocor at any time without consulting your doctor first.

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 closely as directed by your doctor.

Zocor should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

If you miss a dose of Zocor you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

 

Zocor Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Zocor and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• blurred vision
• clay colored stools
• confusion
• dark colored urine
• dry mouth or skin
• exhaustion
• fever
• fruity breath odor
• hallucinations
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• jaundice
• loss of appetite
• memory problems
• muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
• nausea
• pain or burning while urinating
• swelling
• upper stomach pain
• urinating less often or not at all
• weight gain
• weight loss

Less serious side effects of Zocor may include:

• cold symptoms
• constipation
• headache
• indigestion
• insomnia
• joint pain
• mild muscle pain;
• mild nausea
• mild skin rash
• sore throat
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Zocor. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Zocor Description and Dosing

Zocor is available in tablet form, in dose strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg.

Zocor 5 mg tablets are buff, oval, and film-coated, coded with MSD 726 on one side and ZOCOR 5 on the other side.

Zocor 10 mg tablets are peach, oval, and film-coated, coded with MSD 735 on one side and plain on the other side.

Zocor 20 mg tablets are tan, oval, and film-coated, coded with MSD 740 on one side and plain on the other side.

Zocor 40 mg tablets are brick red, oval, and film-coated, coded with MSD 749 on one side and plain on the other side.

Zocor 80 mg tablets are brick red, capsule-shaped, and film-coated coded with 543 on one side and 80 on the other side.

Initial dosing for adults usually starts with between 10 mg and 20mg once daily in the evening. Your doctor may prescribe a maintenance dose between 5 mg and 40 mg once daily in the evening. Consult with your doctor for exact dosing instructions.

Pediatric patients between the ages of 10 and 17 typically begin with a dose of 10 mg, once daily, taken in the evening.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Zocor you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Zocor

Zocor has the active ingredient simvastatin. Other ingredients include ascorbic acid, citric acid, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxides, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, talc, and titanium dioxide. Butylated hydroxyanisole is also added as a preservative.

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