Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering drug, a member of the statin class of pharmaceuticals. It is derived synthetically from a fermentation product of Aspergillus terreus.This medication is the largest selling drug in the USA and second largest selling cholesterol lowering drug in the world.

Zocor is used in the treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease.It is recommended to be used only after other measures such as diet, exercise, and weight reduction have not improved cholesterol levels. The drug reduces total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increases "good" HDL cholesterol. In patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes, peripheral vessel disease, or history of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease, Zocor is prescribed for reducing the risk of mortality by reducing death from coronary heart disease, reducing nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and reducing the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures.

Zocor side effects

Some of the side effects that have been traced to Zocor are abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, and a general feeling of weakness. Other side effects that are more serious are allergic reactions: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Rare side effects include joint pain, memory loss, and muscle cramps. Cholestatic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, rhabdomyolysis and myositis have been reported in patients receiving the drug chronically.Rhabdomyolysis causes the release of muscle protein (myoglobin) into the blood. Myoglobin can cause kidney failure and even death. When used alone, statins cause rhabdomyolysis in less than one percent of patients.The drug may also cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Consult the doctor in case of unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

Dosage

Zocor is a powerful lipid-lowering drug that can decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by up to 50%.It is used in doses of 5 mg up to 80 mg/day taken preferably in the evening. The usual starting dose is 20-40 mg once daily.If you have a high risk for coronary heart disease, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels 4 weeks after starting therapy and periodically thereafter.

The recommended usual starting dose for adolescents 10 to 17 years old with a family history of high cholesterol is 10 mg once a day in the evening. The recommended range is 10 to 40 mg a day, with a maximum of 40 mg a day. Adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more. Higher doses (160 mg) have been found to be too toxic, while giving only minimal benefit in terms of lipid lowering.

Dosage is very important concerning Zocor. Take it at the same time every day, usually in the evening, with or without food. Continue to take Zocor even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.If you miss a dose of Zocor, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Interactions

If Zocor is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Check with your doctor before combining Zocor with the following: amiodarone, blood thinners such as warfarin, bosentan, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, danazol, delavirdine, digoxin, diltiazem, erythromycin, fibrates such as niacin (especially greater than 1,000 mg or 1 gram per day), fluconazole, grapefruit juice (greater than 1 quart daily), itraconazole, ketoconazole, macrolide immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus, mibefradil, nefazodone, other cholesterol-lowering medicines, rifampin, ritonavir, streptogramins such as dalfopristin, St. John's wort, telithromycin, verapamil, and voriconazole.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Zocor will not be as effective in lowering cholesterol if one doesn't follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage liver.

Stay away from Zocor if you have allergy reactions to the drug or any similar medication. You should also do a comprehensive list of all the drugs you have been taking; this helps the doctor in drawing a good plan of treatment with the medication.

Zocor can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Do not take the drug if you have liver disease or if you are breast-feeding. Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a blood disorder.