What
is Zocor - simvastatin?
* Zocor - simvastatin is an HMG
CoA reductase inhibitor. Zocor - simvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a
type of fat) in the body.
* Zocor - simvastatin is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad)
cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein
needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Zocor - simvastatin (Zocor) is also used
to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions
may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks,
stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
* Zocor - simvastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What
should I discuss with my doctor before taking Zocor - simvastatin?
* Do not take Zocor - simvastatin
without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
* Before taking Zocor - simvastatin, tell your doctor if you
o have kidney disease,
o drink alcoholic beverages,
o have a chronic muscular disease, or
o have a blood disorder.
* You may not be able to take Zocor - simvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above.
* Zocor - simvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Zocor - simvastatin
is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take
Zocor - simvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
* It is not known whether Zocor - simvastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take Zocor - simvastatin
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How
should I take Zocor - simvastatin?
* Take Zocor - simvastatin exactly
as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your
pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
* Take each dose with a full glass of water.
* For the greatest effect, Zocor - simvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an
evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
* Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before
starting treatment with Zocor - simvastatin and every six months after both the start
of your treatment and any increase in dose. Depending on the results of these
tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.
* Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Zocor - simvastatin. The interaction
could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and
grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of
grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
* Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from Zocor - simvastatin,
avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
* It is important to take Zocor - simvastatin regularly to get the most benefit.
* Do not stop taking Zocor - simvastatin without first talking to your doctor. Zocor - simvastatin
may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
* Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations
during treatment with Zocor - simvastatin to monitor progress and side effects.
* Store Zocor - simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What
happens if I miss a dose?
* Take the missed dose
as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take
a double dose of this medication.
What
happens if I overdose?
* Seek emergency medical
attention if an overdose is suspected.
* Symptoms of a Zocor - simvastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress,
and indigestion.
What
should I avoid while taking Zocor - simvastatin?
* Grapefruit and grapefruit
juice may interact with Zocor - simvastatin. The interaction could lead to potentially
dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your
diet without first talking to your doctor.
* Alcohol and Zocor - simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should
be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that
the potential for liver problems can be determined.
What
are the possible side effects of Zocor - simvastatin?
* Rare cases of muscle
problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of Zocor - simvastatin
and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied
by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain,
unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be
early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
* If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Zocor - simvastatin
and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
o an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
o decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
o blurred vision.
* Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take Zocor - simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience
o gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation,
or diarrhea;
o cough;
o headache; or
o insomnia.
* Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What
drug(s) may interact with Zocor - simvastatin?
Do not take Zocor - simvastatin
with any of the following:
* amprenavir
* atazanavir
* clarithromycin
* delavirdine
* erythromycin
* grapefruit juice
* indinavir
* itraconazole
* ketoconazole
* lopinavir; ritonavir
* mibefradil
* nefazodone
* nelfinavir
* ritonavir
* saquinavir
* went yeast
Zocor - simvastatin
may also interact with the following medications:
* alcohol
* amiodarone
* barbiturates (examples: phenobarbital, butalbital, primidone)
* bosentan
* carbamazepine
* cyclosporine
* danazol
* digoxin
* diltiazem
* efavirenz
* fluconazole
* medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides (examples: fenofibrate, gemfibrozil,
niacin)
* medicine used to stop early pregnancy (mifepristone, RU-486)
* nicardipine
* oxcarbazepine
* phenytoin
* rifampin, rifabutin, or rifapentine
* St. John's Wort
* telithromycin
* troleandomycin
* verapamil
* voriconazole
* warfarin
What
is the shelf life of the pills?
* The expiry date is mentioned
on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2
years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending
on when they were manufactured. |
