Common use

Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering medication which used to treat high cholesterol levels in the blood. It works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body, thus can help prevent conditions that can lead to heart attack, heart disease and hardening of the arteries, stroke, and vascular disease. This medication can also reduce these risks in people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and a history of stroke. Use this medication during low fat diet to get the best result.



Dosage and direction

Take this medication orally with or without food/milk.

The recommended starting dose of Zocor for adults is 20 to 40 milligrams once a day in the evening. The dosage can be varied every 4 weeks.

The recommended starting dose for children 10 to 17 years old is 10 milligrams once a day in the evening. The dosage can be varied every 4 weeks, but should not exceed 40 mg a day. Girls must have been menstruate for at least 12 months before starting therapy with Zocor.

Children under 10 years old only after doctor permission.

Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It help you to get best results.



Precautions

Before taking Zocor consult with your doctor if your medical history include: history of alcoholism, liver disease, severe infection, kidney disease, low thyroid function, heart disease, allergies. Try to limit alcohol intake because it can increase side effects. Also note: Zocor may increase your risk for liver problems. During the treatment with Zocor you may to limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) , because grapefruit juice may increase your risk for serious side effects.

For woman: Zocor should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnancy or lactating. Do not use before breast-feeding without doctor's permission.



Contraindications

Zocor is not allowed in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases or who are hypersensitivity to any component of this medication. Pregnancy and lactation. Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and the discontinuation of lipid-lowering medications during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia. Ability of inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase such as Zocor can decrease the synthesis of cholesterol and possibly other products of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, so Zocor is contraindicated during pregnancy and in nursing mothers. Zocor should be administered to women of childbearing age only when such women are highly unlikely to become pregnant. If the patient conceve while taking this drug, Zocor should be discontinued immediately and the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus



Possible side effect

They may include all types of an allergic reaction. Also the most possible side effects include:

muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine.

Less serious include:

mild stomach pain, gas, bloating, stomach upset, heartburn;

nausea;

constipation; or

diarrhea.

If you experience one of them stop using Serevent and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.



Drug interaction

Zocor interact with such types of drugs as: danazol; gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate, or fenofibrate;

niacin; nefazodone; cholestyramine or colestipol; warfarin; amiodarone, diltiazem, or verapamil;

erythromycin, clarithromycin, or telithromycin; an antifungal medication such as itraconazole, fluconazole, or ketoconazole; drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicine or steroids, cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, and others; HIV or AIDS medication such as amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, lopinavir-ritonavir, or saquinavir. Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Overdose of Zocor is not danger for you life and iclude such symptoms: myalgia and red urine (in a severe overdose). If you experience one of them call your doctor immediately.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.