WHAT IS Zocor/Simvastatin?

• Zocor/Simvastatin is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor. Zocor/Simvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
• Zocor/Simvastatin is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Zocor/Simvastatin ( Zocor ) is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
• Zocor/Simvastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I OVERDOSE?

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a Zocor/simvastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

WHAT SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH MY DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING Zocor/Simvastatin?

• You may not be able to take Zocor/simvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• It is not known whether Zocor/simvastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take Zocor/simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Do not take Zocor/simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
• Zocor/Simvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Zocor/simvastatin is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take Zocor/simvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• Before taking Zocor/simvastatin, tell your doctor if you
  • have a blood disorder.
  • drink alcoholic beverages,
  • have kidney disease,
  • have a chronic muscular disease, or

HOW SHOULD I TAKE Zocor/Simvastatin?

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Zocor/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.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Zocor/simvastatin to monitor progress and side effects.
• Take Zocor/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.
• Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from Zocor/simvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
• Do not stop taking Zocor/simvastatin without first talking to your doctor. Zocor/Simvastatin may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
• Store Zocor/simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• For the greatest effect, Zocor/simvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• It is important to take Zocor/simvastatin regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with Zocor/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.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Zocor/Simvastatin?

• Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of Zocor/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.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Zocor/simvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
  • decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • blurred vision.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Zocor/simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience
  • insomnia.
  • gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea;
  • headache; or
  • cough;
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not take Zocor/Simvastatin with any of the following:

• lopinavir; Norvir/ritonavir
• Biaxin/clarithromycin
• delavirdine
• amprenavir
• Crixivan/indinavir
• P.c.e/erythromycin
• Norvir/ritonavir
• grapefruit juice
• Nizoral/ketoconazole
• mibefradil
• nefazodone
• atazanavir
• saquinavir
• went yeast
• Sporanox/itraconazole
• Viracept/nelfinavir

Zocor/Simvastatin may also interact with the following medications:

• troleandomycin
• barbiturates (examples: phenobarbital, butalbital, Mysoline/primidone)
• Phenytek er/phenytoin
• Calan/verapamil
• Sustiva/efavirenz
• St. John's Wort
• medicine used to stop early pregnancy (mifepristone, RU-486)
• Lanoxin/digoxin
• Diflucan/fluconazole
• Epitol/carbamazepine
• telithromycin
• Trileptal/oxcarbazepine
• nicardipine
• rifampin, rifabutin, or rifapentine
• Gengraf/cyclosporine
• Danocrine/danazol
• Dilacor/Diltiazem cr/diltiazem
• voriconazole
• medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides (examples: Tricor/fenofibrate, Lopid/gemfibrozil, niacin)
• Pacerone/amiodarone
• bosentan
• Coumadin/warfarin
• alcohol

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID WHILE TAKING Zocor/Simvastatin?

• Alcohol and Zocor/simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined.
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Zocor/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.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.