Print this page
Email a friendDrug Library
Generic Name: Simvastatin
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Zocor is prescribed primarily to lower cholesterol.
Heart
specialists recognize that coronary artery disease is associated with certain
risk factors, including high serum cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol, elevated
triglycerides and reduced levels of protective HDL cholesterol.
Diet,
exercise and weight control are usually considered important first-line
preventive approaches. When they are insufficient, drugs like Zocor may be
important in reducing the risk of heart disease.
This medication has
been found to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL a
variable amount.
Side Effects and Interactions
Zocor has relatively few side effects and most
people tolerate it well.
Some adverse reactions that may occur include
stomachache, constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and
skin rash.
Less common complications include dizziness, muscle pain,
change in the sense of taste, insomnia, and numbness or tingling of the hands or
feet.
Muscle aches or weakness could be a sign of a serious reaction
called rhabdomyolysis or myopathy, and call for a test of kidney function.
Kidney failure might be the outcome of untreated myopathy.
Report
any symptoms to your physician promptly.
The danger of rhabdomyolysis or
myopathy is increased when Mevacor is combined with certain other drugs.
Troleandomycin or erythromycin antibiotics such as E.E.S., E-Mycin,
Erythrocin or PCE have been involved in several cases. The new antibiotics
Biaxin and Zithromax belong to the same class of drugs, but it is not clear if
they have a potential for such an interaction.
Because Zocor is in the
same class as Mevacor, this interaction may pose hazards with Zocor as
well.
When Zocor is combined with other cholesterol-lowering medicines
such as Lopid or niacin be alert for muscle pain, weakness, and kidney damage,
as rhabdomyolysis may be more common in this situation.
The transplant
drug Sandimmune also appears to increase the risk of this dangerous
reaction.
When Zocor is combined with other cholesterol-lowering
medicines such as Lopid or niacin be alert for muscle pain, weakness, and kidney
damage, as rhabdomyolysis may be more common in this situation.
Zocor
may also increase the action of the blood thinner Coumadin; prothrombin time
should be closely monitored. Lanoxin levels should also be monitored in people
taking both medications.
It's possible that flavonoids found in the herb
Echinacea affect the enzyme (CYP 3A4) responsible for metabolizing many common
drugs. If so, medications such as Zocor could reach higher levels in the
body.
The herb St. John's wort might speed elimination of Zocor from the
body, which could reduce its effectiveness.
There is a remote but
untested possibility that peppermint could increase the effects of
cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Zocor. These agents work by inhibiting the
enzyme HMG CoA reductase, and menthol has a similar action.
The herb gotu
kola may raise cholesterol levels and should not be combined with
Zocor.
Check with your physician and pharmacist to make sure Zocor is
safe in combination with any other drug or herbs you may take.
Special Precautions
Anyone with liver problems should probably not take Zocor.
Liver enzyme changes have been reported in a small proportion of patients using this medicine, and may indicate serious problems.
Liver function should be tested before anyone starts taking Pravachol and every month or so for the first year. Periodic tests are needed thereafter.
Because cholesterol is essential for the developing fetus, pregnant women should not take Zocor.
Research on animals has also shown optic nerve problems and stroke-like bleeding in dogs on Zocor, but only at relatively high doses. Whether there is a risk for humans remains to be determined.
It is wise to see an ophthalmologist before starting on Zocor. An eye test should also be performed annually to make there is no damage to the lens.
Taking the Medicine
The manufacturer recommends that Zocor be taken at bedtime.
It may be taken without or with meals.
Tags:
Bookmark/Share: 
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000
Reader Comments
I recently began taking Zocor and seem to be tolerating it well. I have picked up a stomach bug from my kids and am wondering if I can take Ginger Root with it...
Posted by: Judy | November 19, 2007 1:53 PM
I have been taking zocor for seven years, along with 12 other drugs. I have not had any side effects. And it is doing its job keeping my cholesterol levels perfect. I take 40mg nightly and I get checked every six months at the local lab. And yearly at the VA lab.
Posted by: JHR | January 6, 2008 12:51 PM
Simvastatin does not work. I took it in place of Lipitor because my insurance company requests generic brands, and my cholesterol went up 100 points in 6 months. If you take simvastatin -- you need to have your cholesterol checked once-a-month.
Posted by: Donna B | January 15, 2008 2:36 PM
Taking zocor 20mg while having the kidney disease FSGS. I want to know if it is safe and won't damage my kidneys further. My doctor doesn't know for sure. Should a doctor know this for sure? It it hard to say if i have muscles hurting because my whole body hurts without serious pain medication.
Thanks for any help from somebody who knows.
Posted by: Keveeem | March 27, 2008 4:10 AM
I'm not one of the lucky ones. After no more than 15 tablets, all over a month ago, I seem to be having issues that aren't yet dissipating. I expected improvement by now. Urine has turned milky green. Constant insomnia & nightmares. Musclular pain (6 on a scale of 10) but constant and arthritic feeling. Concerned I'm not eliminating it.
Posted by: richl | May 5, 2008 12:55 AM
This is my second attempt with Zorcor. My first attempt was actually a Vytoren combo and I had severe muscle "burning" and what I describe as "Gumby legs" after about 6 months; I couldn't even flex a thigh muscle. After stopping the meds for 6 months, my cholesterol levels had increase, not too severely, but the symptoms had disappeared.My MD recommended a low dose of Zocor only. Well, after 60 days I again have muscle cramping, hands and legs, indigestion and a general feeling of not being well. My labs have been within normal ranges through out this period. Hmmm?
Posted by: Rosemarie M. | August 18, 2008 1:39 PM
would like to know if grapefruit really effects the potency of simvastatin drugs?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: GRAPEFRUIT RAISES THE BLOOD LEVEL OF SIMVASTATIN, INCREASING BOTH EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS. THE DEGREE TO WHICH THIS HAPPENS VARIES FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER.
Posted by: ehf | August 30, 2008 8:44 AM
I think I may be having problems with Simvastatin. (generic for Zocor) I had tingling in my feet. The doc increased the dose to 20mg and now I have tingling in the hands. I feel a little dizzy. My balance hasn't been as good this last year. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I'm concerned.
Posted by: Yvonne | September 24, 2008 11:56 PM