Zocor, generic name simvastatin, is used to treat high cholesterol levels in conjunction with diet modifications and lifestyle changes. Zocor lowers cholesterol levels by blocking an enzyme necessary to manufacture cholesterol, MayoClinic.com reports, decreasing the amount of cholesterol produced by the body. Zocor can help reduce the risk of heart disease, but also can have serious side effects. People taking Zocor need frequent medical follow-ups to check for complications.
Musculoskeletal Damage
In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that patients taking simvastatin medications, including Zocor, at the highest dose had an increased risk of muscle injury compared to those taking lower doses of the drug or other statins, the National Institutes of Health reports. Muscluoskeletal effects occur because statin medications can interfere with production of proteins that aid in muscle function, MayoClinic.com explains.
The higher the dose of Zocor, the higher the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle injury that can lead to kidney damage and causes pain, muscle tenderness, fever, unusual fatigue, dark colored urine and weakness. Joint and muscle pain and tendon rupture have also been reported, Drugs.com states. People taking macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, at the same time as Zocor may also develop rhabdomyolysis. Taking Lopid or cyclosporines with simvastatin drugs also increases the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, MayoClinic.com states. People taking Zocor should promptly report any musculoskeletal problems to medical personnel.
Hepatic Effects
In clinical trial, up to 1.5 percent of people taking Zocor had persistent liver enzyme elevations up to three times higher than normal levels, Drugs.com reports. Zocor should be discontinued in these cases. Other liver symptoms include hepatitis, or liver inflammation, jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, and fatty liver. Serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver failure and fulminant hepatic necrosis may develop, Drugs.com warns.
Birth Defects
Zocor is classified as a category X drug in pregnancy, meaning studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities, according to MayoClinic.com. Women already pregnant or planning to become pregnant must not take Zocor because the risks clearly outweigh the benefits. Sufficient studies to determine safety while breastfeeding don't exist, so medical personnel should consider the risk over benefit before prescribing the drug.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Any drug, including Zocor, can cause severe allergic reaction. Rash, hives, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face around the eyes, mouth, lips, throat or throat or chest tightness require immediate medical attention, Drugs.com states.
