Zocor Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Zocor Tablet is a prescription medicine that contains simvastatin, a drug in the statin class. It is used to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides and to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease. Zocor works by blocking an enzyme in the liver involved in cholesterol production. It is taken once daily in the evening, typically alongside a cholesterol-lowering diet.

What is Zocor Tablet

Zocor is a prescription tablet that contains the cholesterol-lowering medicine simvastatin. It belongs to a group of drugs called statins.

Zocor Tablet uses

• Lowering the risk of death from heart disease
• Lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Reducing the need for certain heart and blood vessel procedures to improve blood flow in people at high risk of heart disease
• Lowering high cholesterol (LDL, or 'bad' cholesterol) in adults with high blood fat levels, when combined with diet
• Treating a genetic condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in adults and children 10 years and older, when combined with diet
• Treating a type of high cholesterol called primary dysbetalipoproteinemia
• Lowering triglyceride levels in adults
• Lowering LDL cholesterol in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, when used with other cholesterol-lowering treatments

Benefits of Zocor Tablet

• Lowers 'bad' cholesterol (LDL)
• Increases 'good' cholesterol (HDL)
• Lowers triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood
• Helps protect against buildup of fats and cholesterol that can slow blood flow
• Helps prevent heart attack and stroke when combined with diet and exercise

How Zocor Tablet works

Zocor blocks an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which the body uses to make cholesterol. By blocking this enzyme, Zocor lowers total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL, while raising HDL (good cholesterol).

Zocor Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed and follow all directions on your prescription label. Zocor is usually taken once a day in the evening; if taken more than once daily, take it with meals. It can be taken with or without food, and taking it with food may help if it upsets your stomach. Take it at the same time every day, and swallow the tablet whole with enough water; do not crush, break, or chew it.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not take a double dose. Continue following your cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise plan while taking this medicine. You may need to take this medicine long-term for high cholesterol, so do not stop without talking to your doctor. You may need frequent blood tests while using this medicine to monitor your progress. Talk to your doctor before having surgery or a medical procedure while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Zocor Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
• Upper respiratory infection such as bronchitis or sinusitis
• Diarrhea
• Muscle or joint pain
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Acid or sour stomach
• Excessive gas in stomach
• Heartburn
• Skin rash

Serious

• Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) that can lead to kidney failure, with symptoms like unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever, tiredness, or dark urine
• Liver problems, with symptoms like right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or eyes
• Allergic reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe skin reactions with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, or a red or purple rash with blistering and peeling
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), with symptoms like increased thirst, more urination, unusual weakness, or blurry vision
• Kidney problems, with symptoms like little or no urination, painful urination, or swelling in the feet or ankles

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take Zocor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Stop taking it and call your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Do not breastfeed while taking Zocor because the medicine may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, since kidney problems may increase your risk of serious muscle problems with this medicine.
• Do not take Zocor if you have active liver disease. Tell your doctor about any history of liver disease before starting this medicine.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Zocor, since it can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.
• Zocor can rarely cause a serious condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever or unusual tiredness.
• Never take more Zocor than prescribed or for longer than recommended, since this can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
• Do not eat or drink grapefruit products while taking this medicine, since they can interact with it and lead to dangerous effects.
• Certain drugs should not be taken with Zocor because they increase the risk of serious muscle problems, including cyclosporine, danazol, gemfibrozil, nefazodone, certain antibiotics and antifungals, and some hepatitis C and HIV medicines.
• People 65 and older, or those with kidney disease or poorly controlled thyroid problems, may have a higher risk of muscle breakdown.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 41°F to 86°F (5°C to 30°C)
• Store in a tightly sealed container away from light
• Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date
• Take unused or expired medication to a take-back program if possible
• If a take-back program is not available, check the label for disposal instructions or ask your care team; if safe to throw away, mix the medicine with something like cat litter or coffee grounds, seal it in a bag, and put it in the trash

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face or throat, or a severe skin reaction with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, or a red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling.
• Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a kidney problem, such as little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, or feeling tired or short of breath.
• Call your doctor if you have muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, or back, or trouble lifting your arms, climbing, or standing.
• Call your doctor if you have signs of liver problems, such as nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away, or call your doctor.

Alternatives

• Evolocumab
• Fluvastatin
• Lovastatin
• Rosuvastatin
• Alirocumab