Our Zocor Medication Monograph

This Zocor Medication Monograph is presented courtesy of Canadian-Online-Prescription-Guide.com. ...
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Zocor
Generic Name: Simvastatin
Pronounced: sim-vah-STAY-tin
Drug Class: Cholesterol-lowering agent,
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ONLY INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL FAMILIAR WITH YOUR CONDITION. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE CONStrUED TO STATE OR IMPLY THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR YOUR CONDITION. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING THIS OR ANY OTHER DRUG.

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Zocor (simvastatin) Uses

This medication is used for patients with high cholesterol. Taken together with a low-fat diet, this medicine can lower LDL cholesterol, commonly referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, while increasing the HDL, or "good" cholesterol.

How Zocor (simvastatin) Works

This medication and the other "statin" drugs block an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) in the liver that is used by your body to make cholesterol. This results in lower levels of cholesterol and reduced risk of hardening of the arteries.

How To Take Zocor (simvastatin)

This medication can be taken with or without food, at the same time every day. Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice interferes with this medication's metabolism.

Zocor (simvastatin) Possible Side Effects

This medication is generally well-tolerated and side effects are usually mild. Muscle pain (myalgia), constipation, gas, indigestion, nausea, vomiting,abdominal pain may occur with this medication use.

Zocor (simvastatin) Warnings and Precautions

Notify your doctor if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness.

This medication may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Therefore, avoid long exposure to the sun and use a sunscreen and protective clothing.

Also tell your doctor if you have severe kidney disease before taking this medication.

Zocor (simvastatin) Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other cholesterol-lowering drugs (gemfibrozil), certain antibiotics (erythromycin) and antifungal medications such as fluconazole, itraconazole or ketoconazole.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take double doses

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed. Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw out medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pregnancy/Nursing Precautions

This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor. For nursing mothers, it is unknown whether this medication is excreted in the breast milk. It is advised not to breast-feed while taking this medication.

Zocor (Simvastatin) Dietary Supplement Recommendations

Anyone taking any "statin" type drug, such as this medication, should supplement CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is essential for healthy heart function. Your body normally makes CoQ10. One of the raw materials for CoQ10 production is cholesterol. To support your healthy heart function, you must supplement CoQ10.

Anyone with heart disease should also supplement Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), and Folic Acid or Folate. These nutrients suppress high Homocysteine levels. Elevated Homocysteine is consider by some experts to be more dangerous to heart health than cholesterol. Elevated Homocysteine levels essentially "rough up" the surface of blood vessels, making it easier for plaques to stick.

A good B Complex is usually enough to lower Homocysteine levels to a safe concentration. Consider Folic Acid supplemention for the same reason.

Another supplement worth considering is Policosanol. This natural supplement is made from sugar cane stems and will often positively affect (ie, lower) cholesterol levels. Some studies found a 14 percent reduction.

Garlic is another supplement shown to help promote healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Adding garlic and policosanol to your diet might even save money on your prescription drug bill.

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