Zocor Information
Taking Zocor
The dosage range for Zocor is 5-80 mg/day, given as a single dose in the evening. If a dosage adjustments is required it should be made at intervals of not less than 4 weeks, to a maximum of 80 mg/day taken as a single dose in the evening.
Zocor Side Effects
Zocor is well tolerated with no side effects or side effects that are mild in nature.
Some side effects that have been reported by Zocor users are: irregularities in the digestive system; cramps, aches, and weakness in the muscles; joint pain; dizziness, headache, tingling; depression, anxiety, psychic disturbances; rash, itching; blurred vision, altered taste sensation, progression of cataracts, eye muscle weakness; loss of sexual desire, breast enlargement, impotence. If you experience muscle pain and weakness this could be a symptom of a rare but serious side effect known as muscle breakdown. If you experience these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Precautions
Do not take Zocor if you are allergic to any of its active or inactive ingredients, these include: simvastatin, cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, iron oxides, talc, titanium dioxide, starch, and butylated hydroxyanisole.
Do not take Zocor if you have liver problems.
Do not take Zocor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
Zocor is passed into breast milk, do not take Zocor if you are breast feeding.
Zocor may interact with other medications or with certain foods, increasing your risk of getting this serious side effect. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking.
Store Zocor at room temperature.
Keep Zocor out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
If you are taking certain other medications you may not be able to take Zocor, or you may require an adjustment to your Zocor dosage. Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you may be using. Drugs that can interact with Zocor include Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, Nefazodone, and Cyclosporine. Drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice (over 1 quart daily) may influence how Zocor affects you. The risk of myopathy is increased if you are using gemfibrozil, and to a lesser extent other fibrates and niacin (nicotinic acid) (1 g per day or more). The risk of muscle breakdown is increased if you are also using Danazol, Amiodarone, or Verapamil while taking Zocor. Some patients taking lipid-lowering agents similar to Zocor and coumarin anticoagulants (a type of blood thinner) have experienced bleeding or increased blood clotting time. Patients taking these medications should have a blood test before taking Zocor, and should be monitored while using Zocor.
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