Zocor

Zocor is a drug licensed to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides, as well as to prevent cardiovascular disease. It works by blocking an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. In research studies, people taking 20 mg were able to decrease "bad cholesterol" by an average of 38 percent. Possible side effects include headache, constipation, and stomach pain.

What Is Zocor?

Zocor® (simvastatin) is a prescription medication used for treating a number of conditions related to heart disease, including high cholesterol and high triglycerides.
 
(Click Zocor Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Zocor is manufactured by Merck and Co.
 

What Is Zocor Used For?

This medication has been licensed for several uses, including:
 
Zocor has also been approved for use in children ages 10 to 17 for the treatment of high cholesterol.
 

How Does It Work?

Zocor is part of a class of drugs called
 statins. It works by blocking a particular enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. The drug also:
 
  • Increases the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol)
  • Increases HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)
  • Decreases triglycerides.
     

Effects of Zocor

In previous research studies, people taking Zocor 20 mg were able to decrease LDL cholesterol by an average of 38 percent, total cholesterol by 28 percent, and triglycerides by 19 percent -- as well as increase HDL by 8 percent. The effects of the drug were even greater for Zocor 40 mg and Zocor 80 mg.
 

When and How to Take It

Some general considerations for when and how to take Zocor include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form; it is taken once a day. You should take your dose with a glass of water, though you may take it with or without food.
     
  • Your Zocor dosage should be taken in the evening.
      
  • For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Zocor will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dietary Instructions

It is not recommended that you drink grapefruit juice while taking Zocor, because grapefruit juice can increase the levels of the medication in the blood -- which increases the risk of developing serious muscle problems. If you are being treated with Zocor and want to continue drinking grapefruit juice, talk with your healthcare provider about other cholesterol-lowering medications you can take.
 
(Click Grapefruit Juice and Zocor for more information.)
 
As with any cholesterol medication, you should continue to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as part of your cholesterol-lowering treatment program.
 

Dosing Information

The dose of Zocor your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Zocor Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Zocor

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Zocor; however, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medication well. If people do develop side effects, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or a healthcare professional. Even if side effects do occur, most people do not need to stop their medicine. In previous research studies, up to 1.4 percent of people stopped taking Zocor because of side effects.
 
The most common side effects thought to be related to the medicine are:
 
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • A general feeling of weakness (asthenia)
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Flatulence (gas)
  • Nausea
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Muscle pain, known medically as myalgia (see Zocor and Muscle Pain).
     
Keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness -- especially if accompanied by a fever or you feel ill -- it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign of a serious, life-threatening muscle problem.
 
(Click Zocor Side Effects to learn more, including additional serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Zocor can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Zocor Drug Interactions for more information).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Zocor?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug if you have:
 
Let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Zocor and Pregnancy)
  • Breastfeeding
  • About to undergo a procedure or surgery
  • A frequent user of alcohol.
     
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Zocor Precautions and Warnings for more information, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

Are There Alternatives?

In general, cholesterol treatment begins with lifestyle changes (for example, weight loss, exercise, and diet). If lifestyle changes alone do not lower cholesterol to a desirable level, cholesterol medication, such as Zocor, may be necessary.
 
The main goal of high cholesterol medication is to lower LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce your risk of developing problems related to high cholesterol, such as heart disease or a heart attack (see Effects of High Cholesterol). The higher your risk, the lower your LDL goal will be.
 
(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see what your risk is and what your LDL cholesterol level should be.)
 
Because Zocor can lower LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, and can increase HDL, a person can lower his or her risk of developing serious problems by taking the medication.
 
For most people, Zocor is quite effective at lowering cholesterol. It is also generally well tolerated. Side effects can occur, however, and people may wish to consider a substitute, such as other statins or other cholesterol medicines.
 
(Click Substitute for Zocor to learn more.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

If you happen to overdose on Zocor, seek immediate medical attention.
 

How Should Zocor Be Stored?

The medication should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep Zocor and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your Zocor as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose!
 

Available Strengths

Several strengths of Zocor are available. These include:
 
  • Zocor 5 mg
  • Zocor 10 mg
  • Zocor 20 mg
  • Zocor 40 mg
  • Zocor 80 mg.
     

Generic Zocor

A generic version of Zocor is available. It is sold under the name Simvastatin tablets (see Generic Zocor for more information).

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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