* Generic Name: simvastatin
* Brand Name: Zocor
* What is simvastatin (Zocor)?
* What are the possible side effects of simvastatin (Zocor)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
simvastatin (Zocor)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
simvastatin (Zocor)?
* How should I take simvastatin (Zocor)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Zocor)?
* What happens if I overdose (Zocor)?
* What should I avoid while taking simvastatin (Zocor)?
* What other drugs will affect simvastatin (Zocor)?
* Where can I get more information (Zocor)?
What is simvastatin (Zocor)?
Simvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase
inhibitors, or "statins." 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).
Simvastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of
fat) in the blood.
Simvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart
attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes,
coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.
Simvastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years
old.
Simvastatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of simvastatin (Zocor)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the
breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain,
tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual
tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
* signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating; painful or
difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling
tired or short of breath; or
* liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* headache;
* constipation, nausea, stomach pain; or
* cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about simvastatin
(Zocor)?
You should not take simvastatin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding,
or if you have active liver disease.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with
simvastatin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you
use certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines, hepatitis C
medication, heart medication, or medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.
Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant.
Zocor Patient Information including How Should I Take
Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol Levels Slideshow
Lowering Cholesterol:15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease
Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures
RxList
High Cholesterol Quiz
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking simvastatin
(Zocor)?
You should not take simvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are
pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have active liver disease.
The following drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems
if you take them together with simvastatin. These drugs should not be
used while you are taking simvastatin:
* cyclosporine;
* danazol;
* gemfibrozil;
* nefazodone;
* an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin,
telithromycin;
* antifungal medication--itraconazole, ketoconazole,
posaconazole, voriconazole;
* hepatitis C medications--boceprevir, telaprevir; or
* HIV/AIDS medication--atazanavir, cobicistat (Stribild,
Tybost), darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir,
ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir.
Before you start taking simvastatin, tell your doctor if you are
already using any of these other medicines:
* lomitapide; or
* heart medication--amiodarone, amlodipine, diltiazem,
dronedarone, ranolazine, verapamil.
To make sure simvastatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* history of liver disease;
* history of kidney disease;
* diabetes;
* a thyroid disorder; or
* if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
Simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of
skeletal muscle tissue, 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).
FDA pregnancy category X. This medicine can harm an unborn baby or
cause birth defects. Do not take simvastatin if you are pregnant.
Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while
you are taking simvastatin.
Simvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do
not breast-feed while you are taking simvastatin.
How should I take simvastatin (Zocor)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this
medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Taking too
much of this medication may cause serious or life-threatening side
effects.
Simvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If you
take simvastatin more than once daily, take it with meals. Your doctor
may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results.
While using simvastatin, you may need frequent blood tests at your
doctor's office.
You may need to take simvastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment
of high cholesterol. You may need to stop using simvastatin for a short
time if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not stop taking
this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Simvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also
includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet,
medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Zocor Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Lowering Your Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol Levels Slideshow
Lowering Cholesterol:15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease
Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures
RxList
High Cholesterol Quiz
What happens if I miss a dose (Zocor)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Zocor)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking simvastatin (Zocor)?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin and
lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products
while taking simvastatin.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Simvastatin
will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not
follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may
increase your risk of liver damage.
What other drugs will affect simvastatin (Zocor)?
Many drugs can interact with simvastatin. Not all possible interactions
are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any
you start or stop using during treatment with simvastatin, especially:
* delavirdine;
* fenofibrate; or
* fluconazole.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
simvastatin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information (Zocor)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about simvastatin.
__________________________________________________________________
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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