Zocor Generic (Simvastatin) is a lipid-lowering agent. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is used for lowering blood cholesterol levels and thereby reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (type of fat) in human body. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood.
Lowering cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, a condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) in addition to a cholesterol-lowering diet can reduce the risks in people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and a history of stroke.
Brand Name:
Zocor
Generic Name: Simvastatin
Manufacture By: Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is manufactured by Lupin Laboratories Ltd,
Available in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg tablet form.
Lupin Laboratories Ltd manufacturing strengths have established it as a producer of world-class generics, branded generics and a major supplier of its range of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients World-Wide.
Our online medical store supplies only top-quality generic drugs that are exact equivalent of the brand name drugs.
Prescription Required: No
Drug Uses
Generic Zocor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a "statin." It works by reducing the production of certain fatty substances in the body, including cholesterol. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is used for Lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is also used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain caused by angina. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol levels. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is used along with an appropriate diet. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to coronary heart disease. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is also used to reduce the need for medical procedures to open blocked blood vessels. Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Simvastatin is a precursor lactone converted in to active form in the body which competitively inhibits the conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) to mevalonate. The drug exerts it`s action by specific inhibition of enzyme; 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase) and reduces cholesterol synthesis up to 50% at therapeutic doses. This results in compensatory increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression in liver which ultimately leads to increased receptor mediated uptake and catabolism of intermediate density lipoprotein(IDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). It causes dose dependent lowering of LDL cholesterol and reduces hepatic synthesis of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lowers plasma triglyceride levels. It increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels than other statins. Simvastatin is metabolized in liver by CYP3A4 enzyme.
Absorption: Simvastatin readily absorbed orally but extensive fist pass hepatic metabolism limits bioavailability. Distribution: Simvastatin distributed mainly to liver in a highly protein bound form and less than 5%of an oral dose reaches systemic circulation. Metabolism: Simvastatin metabolized in liver in to active metabolite. Excretion: Simvastatin excreted mainly through bile.
How Taken
- Use this medicine exactly as directed by your physician or doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
- For the best result, Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal.
- Follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with Generic 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.
- Remember that this medicine will not cure your condition but it does help control it.
- Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to keep your cholesterol levels down.
- This is the most important part of controlling your condition Follow carefully the special diet your doctor gave you.
- Do not take these medicines with large amounts of grapefruit juice. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
- Do not stop taking Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) without first talking to your doctor.
- Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
- Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) to monitor progress and side effects.
- Start Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) with 5 to 10mg once daily; with evening meals. Increased if required based on patients response at every four weeks. Maximum dose: 40mg
Drug Interactions
Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) has a drug interaction with Cyclosporine, erythromycin, niacin, gemfibrozil: Severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Propranolol: Decrease in antihyperlipidaemic activity. Itraconazole: Plasma levels of lovastatin increased 20-fold. Warfarin: Anticoagulant effect increased chances of bleeding.
Missed Dose
Do not take a double dose of this medication. 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.
Storage
Store at room temperature at a range of 15 to 25 degree C. Tablets should be stored in a tightly closed container.
Warnings/Precautions
- Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) may interact with Grapefruit and grapefruit juice and this could lead to potentially dangerous effects.
- Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
- Alcohol and simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver.
- Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) should be used with caution in patients with alcohol or other liver diseases.
- The risk of muscle breakdown is increased when simvastatin is given together with other medications such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune), gemfibrozil (Lopid), erythromycin and nicotinic acid.
- Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) should not be used in children as safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 10 yr of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Safety in pregnant women has not been established.
- It is not known whether Simvastatin is excreted in human milk.
Possible Side Effects
Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) is generally well-tolerated and side effects are rare. Major side effects include abdominal pain or cramps, dizziness, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, blurred vision and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, and headache.
More Information
- Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of Generic Zocor (Simvastatin) and other similar medicines.
- Call 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.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.
- It is advice to patient to control weight and to stick to prescribed dietary regimen during treatment.
- It is advice to patient that diets and exercise that reduce intake of cholesterol and saturated fats are helpful during treatment.
- It is advice to patient to avoid alcoholic beverages during treatment.