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Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering drug, used along with a controlled diet plan to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, Zocor can be used along with a diet plan to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in diabetics and heart patients (regardless of their cholesterol levels).

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Keep at room temp., away from heat and moisture, and out of the reach of children.

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Zocor is usually well-received by patients, with mild side effects or none at all. However, you should consult a physicain if you experience any side effects, so that they can be weighed against the benefits you receive from using Zocor. Some side effects that have been reported are irregularities in the digestive system; cramps, aches, and weakness in the muscles; joint pain; dizziness, headache, tingling; depression, anxiety, psychic disturbances; rash, itching; blurred vision, altered taste sensation, progression of cataracts, eye muscle weakness; loss of sexual desire, breast enlargement, impotence. Muscle pain and weakness could be symptoms of a rare but serious side effect known as muscle breakdown. If you experience these symptoms, contact a physicain as soon as possible.

You may not be able to take Zocor, or your Zocor dosage may need to be adjusted, if you are taking certain other medications at the same time. Be sure to tell your physicain about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you may be using, before you start taking Zocor. Some drugs that can interact with Zocor are Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, Nefazodone, and Cyclosporine. Consuming large quantities of grapefruit juice (over 1 quart daily) may also influence how Zocor affects you. The risk of myopathy is increased if you are using gemfibrozil, and to a lesser extent other fibrates and niacin (nicotinic acid) (1 g per day or more). The risk of muscle breakdown is increased if you are also using Danazol, Amiodarone, or Verapamil. Some patients taking lipid-lowering agents similar to Zocor and coumarin anticoagulants (a type of blood thinner) have experienced bleeding or increased blood clotting time. Therefore, patients taking these medicines should have a blood test before starting to use Zocor, and should continue to be monitored.

Zocor should not be used by patients who are allergic to any of its active or inactive ingredients: simvastatin, cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, iron oxides, talc, titanium dioxide, starch, and butylated hydroxyanisole. Zocor should not be used by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. Zocor passes into breast milk and is not safe for use in breast-feeding women. Zocor should not be used by patients with liver problems. ZOCOR may interact with other medicines or certain foods, increasing your risk of getting this serious side effect. So tell your physicain about any other medications you are taking. Please read additional important patient product information and prescribing information.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures. Merck's global headquarters are located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.