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Description
What is Zocor?
Zocor is an oral tablet consisting of a statins drug called simvastatin. We carry the brand choice and generic alternative of this medication in 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg!
What is Zocor used for?
Zocor is a medication used together with proper diet to help lower cholesterol levels. There are two types of cholesterol (blood fats/lipids) in the body; “good” cholesterol, which is referred to as HDL (high-density lipoprotein); and “bad” cholesterol, which is referred to as LDL (low-density lipoprotein). HDL may help protect against narrowing blood vessels in the body while LDL may make arterial narrowing worse. The higher the LDL or “bad” cholesterol, the higher the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, vascular disease, or stroke; those with higher HDL levels have a lower risk of these complications. Additionally, this medication may help increase you HDL as well as lowering your LDL.
How does Zocor work?
Zocor (simvastatin) is effective at treating high cholesterol because of its ability to reduce the cholesterol production in the liver.
Directions
Use this medication exactly the way it has been prescribed. Directions can usually be found on the prescription label if you forget. Do not use larger or smaller doses, or for longer than prescribed for. Taking this medication in too large of amounts may cause life-threatening side effects. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication is commonly taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If this medication has been prescribed to you for more than 1 dose a day, take it with meals. Your dose may be occasionally changed by your doctor to make sure you are taking the most effective dose.
You may need to attend regular doctor appointments during treatment for blood tests.
This medication is only part of treatment; ensure you are following any diet or exercise plans set in place by your doctor.
Store at room temperature in a low risk area of heat, light and moisture. Ensure it is in an area not accessible by children or pets.
Cautions
Do not use Zocor (simvastatin)
Do not use Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have active liver disease.
If you are on the following medications, do not use Zocor; cyclosporine, danazol, gemfibrozil, nefazodone, an antibiotic (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin), antifungal medication (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), hepatitis C medications (boceprevir, telaprevir) or HIV/AIDS medication (atazanavir, cobicistat (Stribild, Tybost), darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir).
Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required
Tell your doctor before starting treatment if you also use lomitapide or heart medication.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions before starting treatment, especially if you have history of liver or kidney disease, diabetes a thyroid disorder, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day.
Risks
This medication can cause the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue which can result in kidney failure. Ask your doctor about your risk before starting treatment.
This medication can harm an unborn baby and can cause birth defects. Use effective birth control while being treated with Zocor.
Zocor may pass into breast milk and has potential to harm a nursing infant. Do not breast feed while using this medication.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Zocor (simvastatin) may include:
headache;
constipation, nausea, stomach pain; or
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
The above side effects should not alarm you.
Serious side effects of Zocor (simvastatin) may include signs of:
liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
kidney problems: little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.
Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.
FAQs
What is Simvastatin?
Simvastatin is the active ingredient in Zocor; a prescription medication administered orally as a tablet. This medication is available in multiple strengths in both the brand and the generic version; 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg. This medication belongs to the drug class called statins.
What is Simvastatin used for?
Simvastatin is used for the treatment of a lipid disorder called hypercholesterolemia; hypercholesterolemia involves high levels of low-density lipoprotein in the body, which poses many health risks and complications. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol in the body. Additionally, this medication may be used for other similar conditions, such as homozygous or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
How does Simvastatin work?
Complications of high cholesterol often begin as a result of a process called atherosclerosis; a harmful build-up of cholesterol along the walls of the arteries. So to lower cholesterol levels and prevent these complications, along with the help of proper dieting and necessary lifestyle changes, simvastatin lowers the natural production of cholesterol in the liver and helps increase the levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol.
When to take Simvastatin?
Before being prescribed Zocor (simvastatin), your doctor will more than likely discuss with you when to take Zocor for the best result; if a specific time was discussed, ensure you follow those directions carefully. Otherwise, Zocor is commonly taken in the evening or at bedtime.
Why take Simvastatin at night?
It has been widely suggested that you should take certain statins – like simvastatin - at night oppose to taking the dose in the morning or during the day. This has raised the same question for many patients; why take Zocor at night? It is thought that certain statins are more effective when taken at night. Simvastatin has a short half-life and therefore its peak concentration will be seen after only a few hours (about 4) and will only remain in the body for short period (about 10 hours) after taking the dose. Simvastatin is effective because it can decrease cholesterol production; it is thought that the liver produces majority of cholesterol during times of low dietary intake – such as at night when you are sleeping –, hence why the medication will be most effective when taken before bed.
What is Simvastatin generic for?
Simvastatin is the generic name for Zocor. It is given this name because that is the name of the active ingredient that makes up Zocor, responsible for its therapeutic effects.
When did Zocor go generic?
In the United States, the generic form of Zocor, sold as simvastatin, was made available to the public on June 23rd of 2006, roughly 14 years ago. We carry the generic and the brand at My Drug Center at a low affordable cost.
What is the difference between Simvastatin and Atorvastatin?
Simvastatin and atorvastatin are both very similar drugs however they do present some differences. Atorvastatin is commonly higher in price than simvastatin; roughly a $275.00 difference between brands (Zocor and Lipitor) and about a $58.00 difference between generics (simvastatin and atorvastatin). Another difference is seen between half-lives; simvastatin has a half life of only 2 hours where atorvastatin has a longer half life of 14 hours which actually affects the third difference. The short half life of simvastatin is the reason it is better taken at night oppose to atorvastatin, which can be taken any time of day due to its longer half life. There are other smaller differences between the two as well, such as the overall amount of drug interactions and the severity of certain food interactions.
What does Simvastatin look like?
Simvastatin, in the form of Zocor, has many different appearances. Appearance may vary depending on where you buy the medication and if the medication is brand or generic. Zocor may be u-shaped, oval, or round and may be a variety of colors (such as yellow, pink, tan, brown, red, peach, beige, or orange).
What are the most common side effects of Simvastatin?
The most commonly reported side effects of simvastatin include headache, constipation, nausea, stomach pain, and cold symptoms, such as stuffy nose or sore throat. This is not a complete list of side effects.
How long does Simvastatin stay in your body?
Simvastatin will remain in the body following the dose for about 10 hours; the total estimated time can be calculated using the medications half life. It takes about 5 half-lives for a medication to clear the system; simvastatin has a short half life of 2 hours.
Who makes Zocor?
Zocor first came into medical use in the United States in 1991, roughly 20 years ago, after being developed and manufactured by one of today’s largest (7th) pharmaceutical companies in the world; Merck & Co., Inc.
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