Question/Comment:

Should a person taking Zocor avoid grapefruit?

Answer/Reply:

Should a patient taking Zocor/Simvastatin avoid grapefruit?

Question/Comment:

I am a 58 year old female on Zocor. When I was about 48 I started taking statin type meds, and hormone pills for insomnia relief. The hormone pills worked for well over a year and then its effectiveness seemed to fade. I also developed allergies and had tests about 6 years ago, and constantly have nasal congestion along with insomnia. I see that 1% of folks have nasal congestion and insomnia. I dont like any prescription meds for sleep problems, I have tried herb formulas and benedryl and both are somewhat helpful. I went for a sleep study which was inconclusive as I didnt sleep! Joined Curves gym for one year and that didnt have a big effect...

Question/Comment:

I am a 69 year old male with similar problems as above. I have been on Simivastatin for over 6 years. For over 3 months now I have had intense burning in my stomach and have gone through Cat scans, endoscope and colonoscopy as well as various specimen tests. i have other symptoms of insomnia, alternation of recently, diarrhea and periods of constipation, bloating and gas, but the burning in my gut is the worse. After rounds of GERD medications, and diet changes the pain still is present. I have never had heart burn so GERD doesn't make sense to me. Two years ago I had a nightmare of an episode after knee replacement surgery with memory and confusion issues. That went away, but the Neurologist said it was early Dementia. In addition, I have started having intense back pain burning and shooting from the spine across my back. The Orthropedic Doctort says that is Spinal Stenosis. I could mention weakness and sleep problems; the list goes on, but the bottom line is the quality of life is not good presently. Imagine my shock at seeing so many of my symptoms related to the statin drug. No one ever mentioned the possibility. Will stopping the drug alleviate some of the pains and help me? I have had high cholesterol issues for over 20 years and have taken several types of statins in this period. My ChL is under control levels presently and I have had liver test throughout the years.

Answer/Reply:

I have heard from numerous people that stopping a statin improves quality of life. For some the improvement begins within a couple days. For others it may take months to years. But most everyone reports feeling better after stopping the drug. The only variable is the time to recover.

Question/Comment:

I am 56 years old suffering from Asthma since the age of 17- I was using Steroid for 15 years - now I'm using Ventolin, Singulair,Symbicort, Asprin, Zocor 20mg 10 years ago, for my Osteoporosis I take Fosavance and Caltrate 600 - I suffer from bradycardia and Ventricular Ectopics since 2 years ago. Last month the doctor advised me to use Mexiletine 100 mg tds but we couldn't find it anywhere. Waiting for your advise.

Answer/Reply from iGuard:

The brand name of this is Mexitil but has been discontinued. It only comes in generic form, which is Mexiletine. The following companies produce Mexiletine: Teva, Sandoz, and Watson.

Question/Comment:

Does Zocor have side effect of hair loss? I have been on 10mg. for 4mos. and had weakness,I took COQ10 and it went away. But having tremedous hair loss. I take Vitamin E. What to do???


Female ,46

Answer/Reply:

I have heard of hair loss with statins although its not a common complaint. Cholesterol inhibition can have wide range side effects. Its tough to stay healthy when we fire the Director of Human Engineering and Bodily Maintainance. That's cholesterol role in human health if you were to give it a job title. Try stopping the zocor and see if your hair comes back.