Primary Disease Name: Cholesterol
Primary Drug Name: Zocor
Chemical Drug Name: Simvastatin
Zocor Information - What is Zocor?
Zocor is a prescription drug for lowering cholesterol. For people
with high cholesterol, Zocor (SIMVASTATIN), in combination with
diet, can reduce Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides
levels significantly.
Zocor Simvastatin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol
and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain
fatty substances in blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats
along the walls of arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis)
decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to the heart,
brain, and other parts of ones body.
Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with Zocor may
help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and
heart attacks.
top of page
Zocor Canada - Is Zocor from Canada Safe?
Canadian Interenet Pharmacies with the CIPA
seal are a part of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association
Canada and only ship drugs that are of the highest quality, and
as safe as in the United States.
CIPA Certified Canadian Pharmacies dispense only Health Canada approved
prescription drugs such as Zocor from Canada.
Health Canada is the equivalent to the US FDA and has standards
that match those of the FDA.
Prescription drugs from a Cipa Certified Canadian pharmacies are
just as good as those purchased in the United States and the generic
drugs, commonly purchased from online Canadian pharmacies, are of
the highest standard in the world. When purchasing your prescriptions
from an online Canadian Pharmacy you will notice that generic versions
of many popular brand names drugs are readily available.
Zocor from Canada and other Prescription drugs from Canada
points to note:
- All Drugs are approved by Health Canada
- Health Canada is Canada's equivilent to the FDA
- Canadian Generics are of the highest quality in the world
- Prescrition medications from Canada really are of the highest
quality in the world
top of page
Zocor Side Effects
Zocor Side Effects: If you are prescribed Zocor
(SIMVASTATIN), be sure to alert your doctor as soon as possible
if you have any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
Zocor is generally very well-tolerated. The side effects reported
most often are gas, stomach pain, indigestion, and constipation.
These side effects are usually mild and temporary. DO NOT USE Zocor
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Other Possible Zocor Side Effects: Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of 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.
Additionally, if you experience any of the following serious Zocor
side effects, stop taking simvastatin and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat
- swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
- hives
- decreased urine or rust-colored urine
- blurred vision.
top of page
Zocor Cholesterol Medication Mechanism of Action
Zocor works by blocking the enzyme HMG-Co A Reducatse. This enzyme
is required to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore, less cholesterol
is made and the levels of cholesterol in the blood decrease. By
blocking this enzyme, Zocor also helps the liver to increase the
breakdown of the “bad” LDL cholesterol. Reduction of
cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce the risks
associated with heart disease such as heart attacks and strokes.
top of page
Why is LDL Cholesterol "Bad"?
When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL (or total cholesterol levels of 4.7 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is the optimal level. Less than 130 mg/dL (total cholesterol of 5.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is near optimal for most people. A high LDL level (more than 160 mg/dL (6mmol/L) or 130 mg/dL (>5.2m/mol) or above if you have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Prescription drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (Simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Lescol (fluvastatin) have been shown to interfere in the synthesis of LDL by blocking an enzyme that helps produce cholesterol in the body.
top of page
Diet and Benefits of Zocor
Dietary intake of cholesterol includes the contribution of animal
fats found in red meat, cheese, cream and whole cream milk and from
cooking oils. Oils that possess a high concentration of saturated
fats such as palmitic oils (palm & cottonseed oils), stearic
oils (lards & dairy fats), myristic and lauric oils (coconut
and palm kernel oils & dairy fats) are known to contribute more
towards the development of heart disease as compared to the lower
saturated fat based oils such as those containing oleic acids (olive,
safflower & sunflower oils) and lioleic acids (Seed oils; grape
seed oil & walnut oil). Health care professionals discourage
the use of cooking oils that possess higher levels of saturated
fats (as these assist oxidation of LDL and foam cell formation).
In addition, animal fats are rich in saturated fatty acids that
promote the accumulation of cholesterol. Rich animal fats have an
inverse effect on the production of LDL receptors in the liver,
so the individual with a diet that is high in animal fat is increasing
the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Drugs such as the statins
(Lipitor, Zocor, Lescol, Crestor, Pravachol, and Advicor) can help
to reduce the process of atherosclerosis by reducing LDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is known as "the bad cholesterol." Excess
LDL builds up on your arteries (called a fatty streak) and may lead
to heart disease. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the higher
the risk for developing heart disease. Lowering elevated LDL cholesterol
can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Zocor can help to reduce LDL
cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, has earned the nickname
"the good cholesterol." That's because it is believed
to remove cholesterol from the blood. High levels of HDL in your
blood may help to reduce your risk of heart disease. A low level
can increase your risk of heart disease. Zocor can help to increase
HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your bloodstream. Persons
with a high blood-triglyceride level have an increased risk of heart
disease. Zocor helps to reduce triglyceride levels.
top of page
Why is HDL Cholesterol "Good"?
About one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack. (Low HDL cholesterol levels [less than 40 mg/dL] increase the risk for heart disease.) Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.
top of page
Zocor Dose and Supply
Zocor is available in five convenient doses. Zocor comes as a 5mg
tablet, 10mg tablet, 20mg tablet, 40mg tablet and an 80mg tablet.
Zocor is usually recommended to be taken once daily at bedtime.
As a cost saving measure, some patients cut a higher dosage of their
Zocor in half to save money. Zocor can be taken with or without
regards to meals.
top of page
Zocor Storage
Zocor should be stored away from direct sunlight and kept in a
tightly closed container (vial) in order to prevent moisture from
affecting the tablet stability.
top of page
How To Take Zocor
How to take Zocor simvastatin?
- Take 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, 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 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 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 simvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
- It is important to take simvastatin regularly to get the
most benefit.
- Do not stop taking simvastatin without first talking to
your doctor. 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 simvastatin to monitor progress
and side effects.
- Store simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
top of page
Zocor Precautions and Contraindications
Before taking Zocor;
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Zocor or
any other drugs.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially antacids, anticoagulants
('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cholestyramine (Questran),
clarithromycin (Biaxin), clofibrate (Atromid-S), cyclosporine (Sandimmune,
Neoral), digoxin (Lanoxin), erythromycin, fenofibrate (TriCor),
gemfibrozil (Lopid), HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir (Norvir)
and saquinavir (Invirase), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole
(Nizoral), nefazodone (Serzone), niacin (nicotinic acid), and vitamins.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or
heart disease; a severe infection; low blood pressure; or seizures.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding.
- If you become pregnant while taking Zocor, stop
taking Zocor and call your doctor immediately. Zocor can harm the
fetus.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor
or dentist that you are taking Zocor.
- Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking
this drug. Alcohol increases the side effects caused by Zocor.
- Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and
to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Zocor may
make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
top of page
More Zocor Information
Zocor has shown to be one of the most potent cholesterol reducing
drugs on the market. In addition Zocor has been the most widely
studied drug in its class. Along with Pravachol, Zocor is the only
“statin” to have numerous clinical studies that shows
it has helped reduce mortality and morbidity. It is also possible
to use a higher dose of the older, less expensive cholesterol reducing
agents to get a similar effect to that of Zocor.
These drugs include LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN), MEVACOR, ALTOCOR, or
ADVICOR (LOVASTATIN), PRAVACHOL (PRAVASTATIN), LESCOL or LESCOL
XL (FLUVASTATIN).
Zocor is generally well tolerated and can be taken with many other
medicines. However, Zocor may interact with certain other cholesterol-lowering
drugs (e.g. Lopid or gemfibrozol). Do not take Zocor with grapefruit
juice as this may result in muscle weakness.
Zocor may also interact with other medications including some antibiotics,
some antifungal medicines, and immunosuppressive medications. Be
sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and
nonprescription drugs you are taking.
Other Lipid lowering agents that are available and work differently
than the “statin” drugs include ZETIA (EZITIMIBE), LOPID
(GEMFIBROZOL), COLESTID (CHOLESTIPOL), TRICOR (FENOFIBRATE) and
QUESTRAN (CHOLESTYRAMINE).
top of page
Antidepressant
Medication and Information - Lexapro
Side Effects - Paxil
Side Effects - Paxil
CR Side Effects - Zoloft
Side Effects - Arthritis
Medication and Information - Arcoxia
Side Effects- Celebrex
Side Effects - Mobic
Side Effects - Vioxx
Side Effects - Asthma
Medication and Information - Advair
Side Effects - Cholesterol
Medication and Information - Advicor
Side Effects - Crestor
Side Effects -
Lescol Side Effects - Lipitor
Side Effects - Pravachol
Side Effects - Zetia
Side Effects - Zocor
Side Effects - Epilepsy
Medication and Information - Neurontin
Side Effects - Osteoporosis
Medication and Information - Actonel
Side Effects - Fosamax
Side Effects
Link
to Us
*Legal Disclaimer - All of the information
provided in and through this Web site is intended solely for general
information and should NOT be relied upon for any particular diagnosis,
treatment, or care. This website strongly encourages patients and
their families to consult with qualified medical professionals for
treatment advice on individual cases.
|
Orthopaedic &
Cosmetic Products Supply