Zocor
What is Zocor?
ZOCOR (active ingredient – simvastatin) is a prescription drug that helps lower your cholesterol levels, when proper diet and exercise are inadequate. Zocor is also prescribed for patients with coronary heart disease.
ZOCOR reduces the risk of:
- Coronary death
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Should I take Zocor?
You should not take Zocor if you:
- Are allergic to any of the ingredients found in Zocor
- Have active liver disease or possible liver problems
- You are pregnant
- You are breast-feeding
- You are currently taking Posicor (mibefradil).
NOTE: If you are of childbearing age do not take ZOCOR unless it is highly unlikely you will become pregnant.
Your doctor should perform routine blood tests to check these enzymes before you start treatment with ZOCOR and periodically thereafter to make sure the level of liver enzymes increases.
What are the side effects of Zocor?
Whenever you take medication, possible side effects can occur. Zocor is tolerated well by most patients, but you might experience the following side effects:
- Constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, heartburn, stomach cramps, nausea
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Hepatitis
- Jaundice
- Fatty changes in the liver, or in extreme cases, severe liver damage and failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer
- Muscle cramps, aches, pain, and weakness
- Joint pain
- Muscle breakdown
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Loss of balance
- Rash
- Hair loss
- Blurred vision
- Progression of cataracts
- Loss of sexual desire
- Breast enlargement
- Impotence
