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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
medication is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before using Zocor.
ZOCOR DESCRIPTION: SIMVASTATIN - ORAL (SIM-vuh-stat-in)
COMMON ZOCOR BRAND NAME(S): Zocor
What is
Zocor
Zocor is a prescription medication used, along with a cholesterol-lowering diet, to help
lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. Reducing
cholesterol and triglycerides helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
How to Take Zocor
Take
Zocor by mouth usually once daily in the evening, with or
without food. Certain medical conditions (e.g., familial
hypercholesterolemia) may require more frequent dosage instructions as
directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition,
response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Consult
your doctor or pharmacist for more details, since many of the
medications
listed in the Medication Interactions section may increase the chances of
muscle injury when used with Zocor. It may take up to 4 weeks before
the full benefit of Zocor takes effect. It is important to
continue taking Zocor even if you feel well. Most people
with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.
Zocor Side Effects
Headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or stomach upset/pain
may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your
doctor promptly.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side
effects occur: joint pain, muscle pain or weakness, fever, unusual
tiredness, chest pain, swelling in the arms or legs, dizziness. Tell
your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very
serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine,
change in amount of urine, black stool, severe stomach pain. An
allergic reaction to Zocor is unlikely, but seek
immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic
reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble
breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your
doctor or pharmacist.
Zocor Precautions
Zocor is not recommended for use if you have the following
medical conditions: liver problems. Tell your doctor your medical
history, especially of: heart disease, kidney problems, thyroid
problems, uncontrolled seizures, recent serious infection, recent
major surgery, low blood pressure, alcohol use, any allergies
(especially to other "statin" medications). Daily use of alcohol may
increase your chance for serious side effects. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Zocor must not be used during pregnancy. If you become
pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
It is recommended that women of child-bearing age use effective birth
control measures while taking Zocor since simvastatin may cause fetal
harm. It is not known whether Zocor passes into breast milk. Because
of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Zocor is not recommended. Consult your
doctor before breast-feeding.
Zocor Medication Interactions
Zocor should not be used with the following medications because very
serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur: mibefradil, HIV
protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir), azole
antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics
(e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin), nefazodone. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Use caution if the
following medications are combined with simvastatin because serious side
effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur:
fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or
more per day). Tell your doctor of all and
non medication you may use, especially: amiodarone,
colestipol, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digoxin, verapamil, "blood
thinners" (e.g., warfarin), diltiazem, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin),
medications which decrease liver metabolism (inhibitors of cytochrome 3A4
enzymes). Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while
using Zocor unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Do
not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Zocor Overdose
If
overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
vomiting.
Zocor Notes
Do not
share Zocor with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests
(e.g., liver function or CK muscle tests) may be performed to monitor
your progress, especially if you are taking 80 milligrams or more per
day of simvastatin. For best results, Zocor should be used
along with exercise and a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet. Consult your
doctor.
Zocor Missed Dose
If you
miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of
the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing
schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Zocor Storage
Store Zocor at
room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C)
away from light and moisture.
Popular
Misspellings - ocor,
ozcor, zacor,
zcoor, zcor,
zecor, zocar,
zoccor, zocer,
zocir, zockor,
zoco, zocoor,
zocore, zocorr,
zocors, zocr,
zocro, zocur,
zoocor, zoor,
zorco, zucor,
zzocor
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