Cholesterol Lowering - Zovast (Brand name: zocor)

INDICATIONS

Zocor is used for lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides in certain patients. It also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol levels. It is used along with an appropriate diet. It is used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to coronary heart disease. It is also used to reduce the need for medical procedures to open blocked blood vessels. It is also used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain caused by angina. Zocor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a "statin." It works by reducing the production of certain fatty substances in the body, including cholesterol.

INSTRUCTIONS 

Use Zocor as directed by your doctor.

• Take Zocor by mouth with or without food.
• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of Zocor in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. The risk may be greater with large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (eg, more than one quart daily). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking Zocor.
• Continue to take Zocor even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Zocor, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zocor.

STORAGE

Store Zocor at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zocor out of the reach of children and away from pets.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Simvastatin.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Do NOT use Zocor if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zocor
• you have liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests
• you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• you are taking a macrolide antibiotic (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), itraconazole, ketoconazole, mibefradil, nefazodone, or telithromycin.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Zocor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have low blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, a serious infection, or a history of seizures
• if you have metabolism, hormonal, or electrolyte problems
• if you drink alcohol or have a history of liver problems or alcohol abuse
• if you have recently had major surgery or a serious injury.

Some medicines may interact with Zocor. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amiodarone, certain azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), danazol, diltiazem, fibrates (eg, gemfibrozil, clofibrate), fluconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imatinib, immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, niacin, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, delavirdine), risperidone, streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), telithromycin, vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan), verapamil, or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of muscle or kidney problems
• Bosentan, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Zocor's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), or spironolactone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zocor.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zocor may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Drinking alcohol daily or in large amounts may increase the risk of liver problems with Zocor. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while you are taking Zocor.
• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Zocor before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Zocor. Check with your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
• Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your doctor right away, especially if you also have a fever or general body discomfort.
• Rarely, changes to the skin, hair, and nails (eg, discoloration, dryness, hair loss) may occur. Check with your doctor if these effects become bothersome or cause you concern.
• Lab tests, including blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) blood levels, may be performed while you use Zocor. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Zocor should be used with extreme caution in children younger 10 years and in those who have not reached puberty; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use Zocor if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Zocor is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Zocor.

SIDE EFFECTS

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever and fatigue); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.