Zocor and Muscle Aches: Drug Interactions
Serious muscle problems are more common when
Zocor is first started or when the
Zocor dosage is increased, but they can happen at any time. There are also certain medicines that, when combined with Zocor, can increase the risk of serious muscle problems. These medicines include:
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Danazol (Danacrine®)
- Fibrates (such as Lopid®, Tricor®, Triglide®, Antara®, Lofibra®, LipofenTM)
- Niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor®, Nicolar®)
- Erythromycin
- Clarithromycin
- Telithromycin
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Nefazodone (Serzone®)
- Amiodarone (Cordarone®)
- Verapamil (Calan®, Calan SR, Verelan®, Verelan PM, Isoptin®, Covera-HS®)
- Antifungals, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), and itraconazole (Sporanox®).
Grapefruit juice and grapefruit products (including grapefruit supplements) should also be avoided.
Zocor and Muscle Aches: Summary
For people taking Zocor, muscle aches are a common problem, especially during the beginning phases of drug treatment or when the Zocor dosage is increased. While taking Zocor, if muscle aches becomes a problem, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may be able to give you other suggestions for dealing with muscle aches. If the muscle aches continue, he or she may also recommend adjusting the Zocor dosage or switching to another
cholesterol medication.
Also, if muscle aches, weakness, pain, or tenderness occurs when you have a fever or feel ill, it can mean there is a serious problem. Call your healthcare provider immediately.
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