What is Zocor used to treat?

Simvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as “statins.” It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

Is Zocor a good cholesterol medicine?

However, studies have found both Zocor and Crestor to be effective for treating high cholesterol and lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems and death in adults. Both drugs have also been found to be effective at treating high cholesterol caused by certain genetic conditions in children.

What are the side effects of taking Zocor?

Common side effects of Zocor include:

• heartburn,
• gas,
• bloating,
• stomach pain,
• indigestion,
• nausea,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,

Does Zocor make you gain weight?

The use of statins may be connected to weight gain, but there’s no clinical evidence as to why this weight gain occurs.

How safe is Zocor?

Zocor is a member of the class of drugs known as statins. All statin drugs carry a risk of muscle damage, but new data suggest that this risk may be particularly high for the 80 milligram dose of Zocor.

Can you take Zocor every other day?

Abstract. Background: Statins are generally well tolerated, but some patients discontinue therapy secondary to adverse effects. Dosing a statin (rosuvastatin) every other day (EOD) may provide significant lipoprotein changes while avoiding common adverse effects in this statin-intolerant population.

What is the difference between Zocor and Lipitor?

These drugs also modestly raise levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL or high-density lipoprotein). Both Lipitor and Zocor are good for lowering LDL, but Zocor is better at increasing HDL and tends to have fewer gastrointestinal side effects, according to one study.

What drugs should not be taken with Zocor?

Do not use more than 20 mg per day of simvastatin together with amiodarone (Cordarone®), amlodipine (Norvasc®), lomitapide (Juxtapid™), or ranolazine (Ranexa®). When used together with higher doses of simvastatin, these medicines may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems.

Does Zocor cause insomnia?

Researchers have found that fat-soluble statins — which include Lipitor, Mevacor, Vytorin and Zocor — are more likely to cause insomnia or nightmares because they can more easily penetrate cell membranes and make their way across the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from chemicals in the blood.

Who should not take Zocor?

Due to the increased risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, particularly during the first year of treatment, use of the 80-mg dose of ZOCOR should be restricted to patients who have been taking simvastatin 80 mg chronically (e.g., for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity [see WARNINGS AND …

Is it OK to cut simvastatin in half?

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs That Can Be Cut in Half Although they lack this groove, you may still be able to cut these medications in half. They include: Simvastatin (Zocor) Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

What is the brand name of Zocor?

Brand name: Zocor. Simvastatin comes in two forms: an oral tablet and an oral suspension. Simvastatin oral tablet is used to help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease.

What is the usual dosage range for Zocor?

The usual dosage range is 5 to 40 mg/day. In patients with CHD or at high risk of CHD, ZOCOR can be started simultaneously with diet. The recommended usual starting dose is 10 or 20 mg once a day in the evening.

What are the side effects of Zocor?

Zocor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

What is the difference between simvastatin and Zocor?

Simvastatin reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Zocor is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.