Zocor (simvastatin) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Zocor (simvastatin) is an effective hypocholesterolemic drug for preventing serious cardiovascular diseases. One way to save money on the Zocor retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Zocor coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use this Simvastatin coupon at this online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price.
Zocor pharmacologic effect
Zocor (simvastatin) is an effective hypocholesterolemic drug for preventing serious cardiovascular diseases.
Simvastatin helps reduce the total cholesterol concentration in the body. The drug is used for various types of hyperlipidemia. It is also prescribed for mixed types of hyperlipidemia in those patients who cannot normalize the concentration of lipids with the help of diet control.
The level of lipids is reduced within 14 days after the initiation of therapy. The total cholesterol concentration gradually returns to the initial level after the end of therapy.
The maximum concentration of simvastatin in the blood is achieved within 1-2 hours after taking one dose of Zocor. Approximately 85% of the active substance is absorbed in the body. Long-term therapy will not lead to high levels of simvastatin in the tissues.
Zocor indications
Zocor is prescribed for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as for patients with a high risk of coronary heart disease (for example, patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, stroke or other cerebrovascular diseases).
Zocor helps reduce the risk of mortality and serious coronary or vascular complications due to coronary heart disease. This drug reduces the risk of complications in patients with diabetes (including trophic ulcers, etc.). In addition, Zocor is prescribed for patients with hypercholesterolemia (as a supplement to the diet in cases where dietary nutrition and other treatments are ineffective).
What should I know about Zocor contraindications?
Absolute contraindications: abnormal hepatic transaminase levels, pregnancy and lactation, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Simvastatin is rarely used in pediatrics (it is not recommended to prescribe the drug to children).
Other less common contraindications: rhabdomyolysis, diabetes, severe renal failure, alcohol abuse.
Zocor dosage
The daily dose of the drug (from 5 to 80 mg) should be taken in the evening. The dose can be increased every 4 weeks. The maximum permissible daily dose is 80 mg.
Recommended doses: - Patients with CHD: 40 mg once a day simultaneously with diet and exercise; - Patients with hypercholesterolemia: the initial dose is 20 mg per day. An initial dose of 40 mg can be prescribed in some cases (if you want to lower LDL levels by more than 45%). - Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: 40 mg once a day or 80 mg in 3 divided doses (20 mg in the morning and in the afternoon and 40 mg in the evening). Zocor can be given as a mono drug or in combination with other methods.
Patients with severe renal failure are not recommended to exceed the daily dose of 10 mg.
What should I know about Zocor side effects?
Digestive system: dyspepsia (diarrhea, nausea and vomiting); rarely - pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis.
CNS: vertigo, peripheral neuropathy.
Musculoskeletal system: myalgia; rarely - rhabdomyolysis.
Allergic reactions: angioedema, polymyalgia rheumatica, eosinophilia, arthritis, thrombocytopenia, arthralgia, vasculitis, urticaria, skin hyperemia, photosensitivity, dyspnea, fever.
Dermatological reactions: skin rash, itching, alopecia.
Other reactions: muscle cramps, paresthesia, anemia.
Zocor special instructions
Zocor can cause myopathy (muscle pain, weakness, rhabdomyolysis), which is sometimes accompanied by acute kidney failure and in some cases leads to death. Some drugs used simultaneously with Zocor (especially when used in high doses) increase the risk of myopathy. All patients who take simvastatin should seek urgent medical attention in the event of muscle weakness or any unexplained pain.
The following drugs used simultaneously with simvastatin increase the risk of myopathy: clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, nefazodone, itraconazole, anti-HIV drugs, gemfibrozil, niacin, cyclosporin, danazol, amiodarone, verapamil, diltiazem.
Simvastatin should be used with caution with coumarin anticoagulants (high risk of bleeding).