Visit a doctor and consult with him, if you use:

•      medicines that weaken your immune system : cancer medicine, steroids,  or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection: tacrolimus (Prograf) or sirolimus (Rapamune);
•     any other “statin” medication:) fluvastatin (Lescol),  atorvastatin (Caduet, Lipitor), lovastatin ( Mevacor, Altoprev), , rosuvastatin (Crestor),pravastatin (Pravachol) or other medication that contains simvastatin (Vytorin, Simcor),colchicine (Colcrys);
•     medicines that contain niacin (Niaspan,Advicor,  Simcor,  Niacor,Slo-Niacin, and others);
•     digoxin (Lanoxin);
•     a blood thinner: warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin);
•     fenofibrate ( Lofibra,Antara,Lipofen, Fenoglide,  Tricor, Triglide); fenofibric acid ( Trilipix, Fibricor), or
•     antifungal medications:  voriconazole (Vfend); or fluconazole (Diflucan) ;

• unexplained muscle weakness,tenderness,pain ;

• memory problems, confusion;

• unusual tiredness,fever, and ;

• burning or pain when you urinate or dark colored urine;

• weight gain,swelling, urinating less than usual or not at all;

• increased urination, increased thirst,dry mouth, hunger, fruity breath odor, dry skin, drowsiness,weight loss, blurred vision ; or

• upper stomach pain,nausea, loss of appetite, itching,dark urine, jaundice, clay-colored stools.

Less serious side effects :

• mild muscle pain, joint pain;

• headache;

• mild skin rash;

• mild nausea, indigestion or stomach pain ,constipation ;

• insomnia; or

• sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat.

Statins are indicated for people who have elevated levels of lipids in blood or dyslipidemia caused by many factors such as diet high in fats, diabetes, sedative way of life and other conditions.

People with diseases like heart disease and atherosclerosis are commonly prescribed statins. They use statins to decrease the risks imposed by heart disease and atherosclerosis and prevent further progression of these diseases. The other group of patients who are usually prescribed statins is people with diabetes. The increased levels of blood sugar may increase the levels of lipids in blood and cause blood vessel damage. That is why diabetics use statins.

Patients who have a family history of heart attacks, hypertension or predisposed to heart attacks due to heart problems are also indicated to use statin medications.

With age people get more chance for atherosclerosis and high levels of cholesterol in blood. Proper diet and use of statins help to avoid health risks with age.

Statins are also prescribed to prevent atherosclerosis in people who are predisposed to this condition even if they have normal levels of lipids in blood.

 Statins represent a class of medications indicated to reduce the levels of cholesterol in blood by restricting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme stimulates the production of cholesterol in the liver. The elevated cholesterol levels in blood are linked to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes and other health risks.

Cholesterol plays a great role for normal cell and body functioning, still if the level of cholesterol is high, it can result in hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels, the blood cannot flow adequately and supply different body tissues and organs with oxygen and nutrients. The condition when the arteries are blocked with cholesterol is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is one of the main risk factors for chest pain, heart attack or stroke. Statins are medications used to prevent these risks.
Statins block and replace HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the liver. It slows down the process of lipids generation. Statins can lower cholesterol levels to 25-30% (according to the dose) or even more. Statins are medications prescribed by a medical professional. They should not be used for other purposes.

Zocor (simvastatin) is a medication used to decrease the level of LDL -  low-density lipoprotein, a risk factor for heart attack or stroke.  The medication is from drugs class HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, the other common name is statins. Zocor lowers LDL and triglycerides in patients with such conditions as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease. Besides, the medication increases the levels of high-density lipoprotein –HDL in the blood.

Zocor is used in combination with other preventative measures (diet low in fats, exercises, weight control) to lower the heart risks in people with different conditions. The main medical purposes of Zocor are the treatment of dyslipidemia (a condition when there are abnormal levels of lipids in blood) and the prevention of cardiovascular disease (any disease associated with cardiovascular system).

The medication is used in adult patients and children (not younger than 10 years old).

Zocor is available in film coated tablets for oral administration. Zocor is produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme company. There are also generic versions of the medication. The Food and Drug Administration of the U. S. approved the brand Zocor for the treatment of dyslipidemia, then the FDA approved generic version of Zocor (simvastatin). It increased the availability of lower-cost generic medications for more patients who need effective medications at most reasonable costs.

Effective generic alternatives of Zocor are available online without prescription. Generic simvastatin tablets in the dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg are manufactured by IVAX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IVAX) of Northvale. Generic simvastatin tablets in the dosage of 80 mg are manufactured by Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Princeton.