Zocor| simvastatin 

Medication Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
Manufacturer: Merck
Approval date: December, 1991

What is Zocor and how does it work

Zocor is a cholesterol lowering medication that works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which is needed for the cholesterol production in the liver. Zocor is also classified as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or “statin”.

What is Zocor used for (indications)

• Reducing total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, and triglycerides
• Increasing HDL cholesterol
• Reducing the risk of death from coronary heart disease, reducing nonfatal heart attack and stroke, and reducing the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in patients with diabetes, heart disease, history of stroke, or peripheral vascular disease.

How effective is Zocor

• Reduce LDL cholesterol by 26-47%
• Reduce triglycerides by 12-33%
• Increase HDL (good cholesterol) by 10-16%
• Reduces the risk of death from coronary heart disease, reducing nonfatal heart attack and stroke, and reducing the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures.

What are interesting facts about Zocor

• Reduces the risk of death, heart attack, and stroke in patients at risk
• Interacts with several drugs
• Reduces LDL, triglycerides, and increases HDL
• A generic version is available

What is the Dosage for Zocor 

• Supplied as Zocor 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 mg tablets
• 5-40 mg/day given by mouth preferably in the evening
• 80 mg dose is only for those already taking this dose for 12 months or more without developing muscle toxicity

What are the side effects of Zocor

Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, muscle pain, and abnormal liver tests.

Statins, including Zocor have been associated with memory loss, increased blood glucose, and diabetes.

Serious: Liver damage, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, pancreatitis

Zocor drug interactions

• Large quantities of grape fruit juice (>1 quart daily)
• erythromycin (E-Mycin)
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox)
• Posaconazole (Noxafil)
• HIV protease inhibitors (Crixivan, Norvir)
• Danazol (Danocrine)
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Ranolazine (Ranexa)
• Verapamil (Calan)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Niacin (Niaspan)
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid), and fenofibrate (Tricor)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Cholestyramine

How to obtain prescription assistance for Zocor

For prescription assistance for Zocor visit Merck Patient Assistance Program.

References: Zocor FDA Prescribing Information

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