Zocor (simvastatin)

Zocor is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to:

• treat specific types of high cholesterol in certain adults
• treat high cholesterol due to certain genetic conditions in adults and children ages 10 years and older
• decrease the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke, in certain adults at risk of these problems

Zocor is approved to treat these conditions under certain circumstances. In many cases, it’s recommended to take Zocor in combination with changes in your diet. For details about these conditions and how the drug treats them, see the “Zocor: Uses” section below.

The following table provides key facts about Zocor.

If you’re interested in taking this drug, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.

Zocor is a brand-name medication. It contains the active drug simvastatin, which also comes in a generic form. A generic is an identical copy of the active drug found in a brand-name medication.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that generic drugs are as safe and effective as their original drug. Generics tend to be less expensive than brand-name drugs.

If you’d like to know about the generic version of Zocor, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you if the generic medication comes in forms and strengths recommended for your condition.

Below, you’ll find dosages that are commonly recommended for Zocor. However, you should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your needs.

In some cases, doctors may start by prescribing a low dosage of Zocor. Then, they can change the dosage over time to an amount that’s right for the condition being treated. Doctors typically prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired outcome.

The dosage of Zocor that your doctor prescribes will depend on factors such as:

• your age
• any health conditions you have
• the condition you’re taking Zocor to treat and the severity of the condition
• other medications you’re taking that may interact with Zocor

Zocor comes as oral tablets.

Zocor is available in the following strengths:

• 10 milligrams (mg)
• 20 mg
• 40 mg
• 80 mg

Recommended dosages for Zocor in adults and children are described below.

In rare cases, your doctor can recommend increasing your dosage to 80 mg once daily. However, due to the risk of side effects, this dose should only be used in certain people. Your doctor can determine what the best dose of Zocor is for you.

The recommended dosage for Zocor in adults is as follows.

• Dose: 20 mg to 40 mg
• Frequency: once per day

The recommended dosage for Zocor in children is as follows.

• Dose: 10 to 40 mg
• Frequency: once per day

Below are some things to consider about Zocor’s dosage.

• Missing a dose. If you miss a dose of Zocor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about when to take your next dose. In some cases, they may recommend taking your next dose as soon as possible. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, they may recommend skipping your missed dose. In this case, you’ll take your next dose when it’s usually scheduled. Try these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm, use a timer, or download a reminder app on your phone.
• Length of treatment. Doctors typically prescribe Zocor as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.

As with most drugs, it’s possible to have side effects with Zocor. These can include some mild side effects but also some serious ones.

To learn more about Zocor’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may also provide information about managing certain side effects of this drug.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Zocor, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild and serious side effects of Zocor are listed below. This article does not include all of Zocor’s possible side effects.

Mild side effects* of Zocor may include:

• respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• headache
• abdominal pain
• constipation
• high blood sugar level
• muscle pain or weakness
• nausea
• mild allergic reaction†

Most times, mild side effects of a drug go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects become severe or don’t go away.

* This is not a complete list of Zocor’s mild side effects. To learn about other mild side effects of this drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or you can view the drug’s prescribing information.
† To learn more about allergic reaction, see below.

Serious side effects of Zocor may include:

• rhabdomyolysis (a serious condition that breaks down muscles)
• immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (a rare condition involving muscle weakness)
• liver problems
• severe allergic reaction*

Serious side effects from Zocor aren’t common, but they are possible. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor right away. However, if you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number.

* To learn more about allergic reaction, see below. An allergic reaction is possible after taking Zocor.

Prescription drugs, such as Zocor, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions.

Zocor is approved to lower high cholesterol in adults and certain children. It should be used in combination with changes in your diet.

There are different types of cholesterol in your body. Specifically, there is a type of “bad” cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). There’s also a type of “good” cholesterol called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). You also have triglycerides, which are another type of fatty substance found in your blood.

Specifically, Zocor is used to decrease cholesterol levels associated with the following conditions in adults. 

• Hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia means you have a high level of fat in your blood. For this use, doctors prescribe Zocor to reduce LDLs in combination with diet changes.
• Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia). This is a rare, genetic cholesterol condition. For this use, doctors prescribe Zocor in combination with diet changes.
• Hypertriglyceridemia. Hypertriglyceridemia means you have high levels of triglycerides, which are a type of fatty substance in the blood. For this use, doctors prescribe Zocor in combination with diet changes.
• Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). HeFH is a type of familial hypercholesterolemia. For this use, doctors prescribe Zocor to reduce LDLs in combination with diet changes.
• Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). HoFH is another type of familial hypercholesterolemia. For this use, doctors prescribe Zocor to decrease LDLs in combination with other treatments.

In addition, Zocor is used to treat HeFH in children ages 10 years and older. For this condition, the drug is used to help reduce LDLs. And it’s prescribed in combination with diet changes.

Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance in your blood and throughout your body. Your body needs cholesterol to make certain vitamins and hormones. However, having too much cholesterol in your blood can cause plaques to build up in your arteries. These plaques can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

In general, ranges for healthy levels of LDL and triglycerides are low. Ranges for healthy levels of HDL are higher. Zocor can help balance your cholesterol and triglyceride levels to best manage your condition.

All of the conditions listed above may cause high cholesterol levels. However, it’s important to note that most people with high cholesterol levels won’t experience any symptoms. Your doctor will likely check your cholesterol levels by ordering a blood test to see if they are high.

Zocor is approved to reduce risks of cardiovascular problems in certain adults. Specifically, this medication can lower the risk of death in people with heart disease, diabetes, or both. Zocor does this by decreasing the risk of:

• heart attack
• stroke
• the need for heart surgery
• death due to heart disease

If you have heart disease or diabetes, you may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Zocor may help reduce your risk of death from these cardiovascular problems.

Your doctor may recommend that you take Zocor in combination with other medications for your condition. This will depend on the condition you’re treating.

For example, if you’re taking Zocor to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), your doctor will likely recommend that you also take other drugs, such as evolovumab (Repatha). This will help reduce your cholesterol in combination with Zocor.

In addition, your doctor may recommend that you make changes to your diet while you’re taking Zocor. When taken to lower cholesterol levels, Zocor should be used in combination with diet changes.

If you’d like to learn more about your treatment plan, talk with your doctor. They can advise the best way for you to take Zocor.

Zocor is approved to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in children ages 10 years and older. HeFH is a hereditary condition that causes high cholesterol. For this use, Zocor should be used in combination with diet changes.

Doctors may recommend that females* wait to start Zocor until 1 year after their first period. This is because the drug hasn’t been clinically studied in female children who haven’t had their first period.

While this drug is prescribed for other uses in adults, it is not approved for any other use in children. Talk with your doctor about your child’s options to treat other cholesterol conditions or help prevent cardiovascular problems.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the term “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.

If you would like to find a healthcare professional who may prescribe Zocor, use this link to find a doctor or healthcare professional. Before your appointment, you may wish to view the appointment guide for high cholesterol.

Doctors may prescribe drugs other than Zocor for your condition. Certain drugs may work better for you than others.

Zocor is used to treat high cholesterol. Here’s a summary of other drugs that doctors sometimes prescribe for this condition.

To learn more about some alternatives of Zocor, view the following articles:

• Zocor vs. Lipitor
• Zocor vs. Crestor

Your doctor can tell you about other similar drugs, such as pravastatin, which used to be available as the brand-name drug Pravachol. They can also tell you about Zocor versus its generic form, simvastatin.

For additional information about alternatives to Zocor, ask your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that could be prescribed for your condition.

Here are some common questions about Zocor and brief answers to them. If you’d like to know more about these topics, ask your doctor.

No, Zocor is not a blood thinner. This medication works to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in certain people. It belongs to a drug class called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which may also be referred to as statin drugs.

Zocor can reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood, but it isn’t a blood thinner. Blood thinners are medications that are used to help prevent blood clots in people who may be at an increased risk of serious problems such as a heart attack or stroke.

Some people take both a blood thinner and a statin such as Zocor. Your doctor can help you determine if you should take a statin drug, a blood thinner medication, or both. This will be based on your health and the medical conditions you have. If you have questions about which medication may be best for your condition, talk with your doctor.

No, you shouldn’t experience weight gain while taking Zocor. Weight gain wasn’t a side effect reported by people taking the drug in clinical studies.

However, it’s possible that Zocor may cause increased blood sugar levels in people taking the drug. Having high blood sugar levels may lead to diabetes. And high blood sugar or diabetes may lead to weight gain.

If you’re concerned about weight gain during treatment with Zocor, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your weight gain and the best ways to manage it.

No, there isn’t a specific diet that you need to follow when you’re taking Zocor. However, it’s recommended that you take Zocor in combination with making general changes to your diet to help manage high cholesterol.

The American Heart Association Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source recommends certain diet changes to help lower cholesterol levels. These include eating more fish and fewer meats that contain saturated fats. In addition, it recommends using liquid vegetable oils, such as canola or olive oil, instead of butter or shortening.

Your doctor can recommend the best diet plan for you to follow while you’re taking Zocor. In some cases, they may advise that you speak with a dietician or nutritionist to determine the best plan for your diet.

There aren’t any known interactions between Zocor and alcohol. However, it’s possible that drinking alcohol may worsen side effects of Zocor.

For example, Zocor can cause headaches and nausea. Alcohol can also cause those side effects. So you may be at an increased risk of these side effects if you drink alcohol during your Zocor treatment.

In addition, drinking alcohol can cause liver problems. Zocor can also cause liver problems, so you may be at an increased risk of this side effect if you drink alcohol with Zocor.

Your doctor can help determine how much alcohol, if any, may be safe for you to drink during your treatment with Zocor.

Zocor may interact with other medications, certain supplements, and certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. Some interactions can interfere with a drug’s effectiveness. Others can increase a drug’s side effects or cause them to be severe.

Before you start Zocor, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, herbs, vitamins, or supplements you take. They can check for any possible interactions between these products and Zocor.

If any of the interactions listed below might pertain to you, talk with your doctor. They can tell you what you need to do to avoid the interaction.

• Zocor and certain medications. The manufacturer of Zocor advises that these drugs should not be taken together. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor if these drugs have been prescribed together for you.
  • certain antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole or voriconazole (Vfend)
  • certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin (Eryc) or clarithromycin
  • certain HIV treatments, such as nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and medications that contain ritonavir, such as lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)
  • the HIV medication cobicistat (Tybost) and medications that contain it, such as cobicistat/elvitegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Stribild)
  • the antidepressant nefazodone
  • the immunosuppressant cyclosporine (Gengraf)
  • the steroid danazol
  • the cholesterol-lowering drug gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• Zocor and other medications. Because Zocor may interact with the following drugs, your doctor may recommend you do not take it with these drugs. In some cases, they may recommend a change in your Zocor dose or a change in the dose of your other medication to help prevent side effects from occurring. Examples include:
  • other fibrates, such as fenofibrate (Trilipix)
  • antiarrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone (Pacerone) or dronedarone (Multaq)
  • the chest pain drug ranolazine (Ranexa)
  • calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Verelan) or diltiazem (Cartia XT)
  • the cholesterol-lowering drug lomitapide (Juxtapid)
  • the antibiotic daptomycin (Cubicin)
  • the uric acid-lowering medication colchicine (Colcrys)
  • the heart rate drug digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • certain blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven)
• Zocor and herbs and supplements. Certain herbs and supplements may interact with Zocor. Examples include:
  • niacin (vitamin B3)
  • St. John’s wort
• Zocor and foods. Certain medications interact with foods. An example of a food that may affect Zocor is grapefruit juice.

Your doctor will recommend how you should take Zocor. It’s important to take the drug exactly as your doctor instructs.

Zocor comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the tablets by swallowing them.

If you have questions about the best way for you to take Zocor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a list of common questions related to taking Zocor.

• When should I take Zocor? Take Zocor once daily in the evening. Taking Zocor around the same time of day helps keep a steady level in your body and helps the medication work effectively. Try these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses of Zocor. You could also set an alarm, use a timer, or download a reminder app on your phone.
• Do I need to take Zocor with food? No, you don’t need to take Zocor with food. You can take your dose with or without food.
• Can Zocor be chewed, split, or crushed? The manufacturer of Zocor doesn’t make any recommendations about whether Zocor can be chewed, split, or crushed. If you’re having difficulty swallowing Zocor tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can let you know if you can chew, split, or crush the tablet.
• Is there a best time of day to take Zocor? Yes, you should take your dose of Zocor once daily in the evening.  

Zocor is approved to decrease cholesterol levels in certain adults and children with a variety of different conditions, including:

• hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
• heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)
• homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia)
• hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels)

Zocor can also be used to decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke. For this use, it’s prescribed to certain adults with heart disease, diabetes, or both. To learn more about the conditions Zocor treats, see the “Zocor: Uses” section above.

Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance that is present in your blood and throughout your body. You need cholesterol to make certain vitamins and hormones. However, too much cholesterol in your blood can cause plaques to build up in your arteries. This can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

There are different types of cholesterol in your body. Specifically, there is a type of “bad” cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). There’s also a type of “good” cholesterol called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). You also have triglycerides, which are another type of fatty substance found in your blood.

High cholesterol usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, if you have untreated high cholesterol for a long period of time, you may be at an increased risk of serious problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Zocor’s mechanism of action (the way it works) is to block an enzyme in your body called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is what helps your body make cholesterol. By blocking HMG-CoA reductase, Zocor works to decrease your LDL cholesterol levels. In addition, it can help decrease your triglyceride levels and increase your HDL levels.

These changes in your cholesterol also decrease your risk of plaque buildup. So Zocor may also lower your risk of cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke.

If you have additional questions about the way that Zocor works to treat your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Zocor starts working as soon as you take your first dose of medication. However, because high cholesterol doesn’t usually cause symptoms, you may not notice that Zocor is working.

Your doctor will likely check your cholesterol levels by ordering a blood test. This may be done as soon as 4 weeks after you start taking Zocor. The results of these tests will show your doctor whether Zocor is working to manage your cholesterol levels.

As with other medications, prices for Zocor may vary. The drug’s price will depend on factors such as:

• the pharmacy you use
• your insurance coverage

Here are some things to consider when looking into the cost of Zocor.

Option for a 90-day supply. For some drugs, it’s possible to get a 90-day supply. If this option is approved by your insurance company, it can help lower the cost of the drug. It can also help you avoid frequent trips to your pharmacy. If you’d like to learn more about this option, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Need for prior authorization. Before insurance coverage for Zocor is approved, your insurance company may require prior authorization. In this case, your doctor and insurance company will communicate about your prescription for Zocor. Then, the insurance company will decide if the drug will be covered. To find out if you need prior authorization for Zocor, contact your insurance company.

Possible cost assistance options. Financial assistance to help lower the cost of Zocor may be available. Medication Assistance Tool provides a list of programs that can help reduce the drug’s cost. To learn more and see if you’re eligible for support, visit the organization’s website. Also, check out this article to learn about ways to save on prescription drugs.

Use of a mail-order pharmacy. Zocor may be dispensed through mail-order pharmacies. Getting your prescription through a mail-order pharmacy could lower its cost. It can also allow you to get the drug without leaving home. To find out more about this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Availability of a generic form. Zocor comes in a generic form called simvastatin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. If your doctor prescribes Zocor, but you want to know about taking simvastatin, talk with them about which option might be better for you. Also, check your insurance plan because it might cover just one form or the other.

Zocor is not safe to take during pregnancy. So if you become pregnant during treatment with Zocor, your doctor will likely advise that you stop taking the drug.

It’s possible for statin drugs, including Zocor, to cause harm to a developing fetus if taken during pregnancy.

In addition, high cholesterol can lead to risks that are long term. And keep in mind that Zocor is used to treat high cholesterol. (To learn more, see the “Zocor: Uses” section above.) This means that stopping treatment with Zocor for a short time during pregnancy shouldn’t increase your risks.

Zocor is not safe to take during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your birth control needs with Zocor if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant. Your doctor can recommend if you should use birth control with this medication.

It’s not known if Zocor passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed.

However, another statin drug similar to Zocor does pass into breast milk. This means that a child who is breastfed would be exposed to the drug. Due to the possibility of serious side effects from Zocor, breastfeeding is not recommended while taking the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about breastfeeding and Zocor treatment.

Tell your doctor about your health history before starting treatment with Zocor. Your doctor may not recommend this medication if you have certain factors affecting your health or specific medical conditions. These situations are considered drug-condition interactions.

These factors and conditions include those listed below.

• Liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before you start taking Zocor. This medication can cause liver damage. If you already have liver problems, taking Zocor may make your condition worse. Your doctor may recommend that you take a different medication instead of Zocor.
• Excessive drinking. If you drink large amounts of alcohol, your doctor may recommend that you take a different medication instead of Zocor. This is because both Zocor and alcohol can cause liver problems to occur. So the combination of Zocor and heavy drinking may increase these risks even more. Talk with your doctor to find out if Zocor may be a safe treatment option for you.
• Increased risk of muscle problems. Certain people may be at an increased risk of developing muscle problems, such as pain or weakness, with Zocor. Specifically, older adults (ages 65 years and older), people with Chinese ancestry, and people with certain conditions may have an increased risk. (Example conditions include hypothyroidism or kidney problems.) In addition, you may be at an increased risk if your Zocor dose is high or if you’re also taking other drugs that can cause muscle problems. Your doctor will determine your risk of muscle problems and whether Zocor may be a safe treatment option for you.
• Allergic reaction. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Zocor if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. To find out about other treatment options, talk with your doctor.
• Pregnancy. If you’d like additional information about taking Zocor while pregnant, view the “Zocor: Taking while pregnant” section above.
• Breastfeeding. If you’d like additional information about taking Zocor while breastfeeding, view the “Zocor: Taking while breastfeeding” section above.

To learn more about effects of Zocor that could be harmful, see the “Zocor: Side effects” section above.

For some drugs, taking more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not use more Zocor than your doctor advises.

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Here’s some information about Zocor’s expiration date, as well as how to store and dispose of the drug.

Expiration. Your pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on Zocor’s bottle. This date is usually 1 year from the date the medication was dispensed to you. Expiration dates help ensure that a medication is effective during a period of time.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source that you avoid taking expired drugs. If you have an unused medication and it’s past the drug’s expiration date, talk with your pharmacist. They can let you know whether you might still be able to use the medication.

Storage. Many factors determine how long a medication remains good to use. These factors include how and where you store the drug. Zocor tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 41°F and 86°F (5°C and 30°C). Avoid storing it in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal. It’s important to safely dispose of Zocor if you no longer need to take it and have unused medication. Doing so helps prevent others, including children and pets, from accidentally taking the drug. It also helps avoid causing harm to the environment.

Ask your pharmacist for information about disposing of Zocor. Also, check out this page for several tips on safe medication disposal.

If you have questions about Zocor, talk with your doctor. They can help advise you on whether Zocor could be a good treatment option for you.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do my medical conditions increase my risk of side effects from Zocor?
• If Zocor doesn’t work for me, will you increase my dosage?
• What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Zocor?
• If I have side effects from Zocor, will you decrease my dosage?

Your doctor may also tell you about other treatment options for your condition. You may find this article helpful in learning about alternative drugs.

Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.