Warnings
What are the risks of taking Zocor (simvastatin)?
Zocor can cause serious health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients. Some of the serious risks of Zocor use include:
Your health care provider or pharmacist can help you find safer ways to lower blood cholesterol if you are pregnant or at risk of complications from Zocor use. |
What should I tell my doctor before starting Zocor (simvastatin)?
Tell your health care professional about all your medical conditions—Zocor may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions such as liver disease. Let your doctor know if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day, you are over the age of 65, or you are of Asian (especially Chinese) descent. Also, inform your health care provider if you have or had an underactive thyroid, seizures, diabetes, muscle aches, kidney disease, or low blood pressure.
Give your doctor a list of all your medications, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.
Be sure to tell your doctor about a previous allergic reaction to Zocor, any other statin medications, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Zocor. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or nursing.
What precautions should I take while on Zocor (simvastatin)?
Keep all appointments at your doctor’s office. Your doctor might obtain blood tests to monitor your liver functions while you’re on Zocor.
Zocor is not safe to take during pregnancy because it can harm the unborn baby. Get medical advice right away if you become pregnant while taking Zocor.
Call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience symptoms such as dark urine, decreased urination, muscle pain, tiredness, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, mouth, throat, or hands, chest tightness, breathing problems, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or joint pain.
What are Zocor (simvastatin) interactions?
Taking Zocor with some other medications can affect how well either medicine works. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your physician may choose a different cholesterol-lowering medication for you, change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines, or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions with Zocor. There can be interactions between Zocor and medicines such as:
- antifungal medications (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole)
- antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin
- danazol
- cyclosporine
- gemfibrozil
- certain HIV medications
- amiodarone
- amlodipine
- blood thinners (warfarin)
- colchicine
- diltiazem
- other cholesterol-lowering medications
This list does not describe all possible Zocor interactions. Give your health care provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.
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