Get Informed: Zocor
Active Ingredient(s)
Simvastatin
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to reduce cholesterol. It works by blocking an important enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) used by the body to produce cholesterol.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 2:21 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Simvastatin
- Zocor
- Lipex
- Simvador
- Ranzolont
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 23 Dec 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 6,184,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Zocor or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Zocor Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Zocor interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Zocor used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 41,000 patients that use Zocor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 98% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 18% |
|
How well does Zocor work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,000 users taking Zocor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Zocor outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Zocor.
Common Side Effects of Zocor
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,000 users taking Zocor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
15% of patients experience side-effects on Zocor
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Zocor
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Cough, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Dryness, Fatigue, Insomnia, Liver Problems, Memory/Speech Problems, Nausea/Vomiting, Numbness/Tingling, Vivid Dreams, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Zocor (Simvastatin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 59 yr old female who has been on simvastatin for about 4 months. To be most effective, Simvastatin should always be taken just before bedtime because cholesterol is made in the body as you sleep. My Cardiologist said that the 20mg strength wouldn't make a dent in my overall cholesterol levels. I'm anxious to find out if, in fact, if my bloodwork results show any improvement. I have not had any side effects to date.
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 08:45:56
Question/Comment:
I too, was taking Lipitor, until the cost became prohibitive. My doctor put me on Simvastatin. After several months I kept having chronic, dull headaches. I am now taking Provastatin and it seems to be working. I was told that Simvastatin is not in the same class as Lipitor, and Provastatin is, which may have been my problem.
68 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-05 09:17:59
iGuard Answer/Reply:
All of these drugs are in the same class, they are statins. Lipitor's generic name, atorvastatin, sounds more like pravastatin and simvastatin. Some patients do better taking one drug versus another, even if they are in the same class. All of these drugs work to lower cholesterol.
Posted: 2010-03-05 11:16:07
Question/Comment:
Hi!
Started Simvastatin 20mg in Sept 2009. Now since Oct 2009 I've had kidney stones. Oct., Dec., now more.
I drink plenty of fluids and the only thing I can think of that's different is the drug.
Anyone else have gotten kidney stones while on this drug?
Thanks!
Posted: 2010-03-02 17:09:21
iGuard Answer/Reply:
It is unlikely that simvastatin caused the kidney stones. Other factors cause kidney stone formation. Sometimes your body chemistry is such that you are more prone to them. Some foods, like rhubarb, spinach and beets are high in oxalate and may increase your chances of developing them if your stones are calcium oxalate. Speak with your doctor to see if he/she recommends avoiding these foods. Simvastatin can on rare occasion cause an obstruction in the kidney. Many times after multiple kidney stones, further tests will be run to find the type of kidney stone and probable causes.
Posted: 2010-03-05 11:50:58
Question/Comment:
I took Simvastatin for only a month and had to be taken off cause of severe muscle cramps. I have been off of them for a month now and still have muscle cramps just not as severe. Is this normal to still have the cramps?
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 10:29:59
Question/Comment:
Took Zocor/Simvastatin 10 years before I began to feel really weak, shaky and a strange feeling in my head. Cannot take anything now that has statin attached to it's name. Also have Type 2 Diabetes. Don't know what to switch to that will not cause me to feel bad for my cholesterol problem. Diet and exercise don't seem to help.
Posted: 2010-02-28 10:56:19
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
371
Patient Comments about
Zocor