Zocor

Drug Uses
Zocor is used for lowering blood cholesterol levels and thereby reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Zocor may also be used to lower triglycerides.

How Taken

You should take Zocor as it is directed by your doctor. You can take Zocor on an empty stomach or after meals.  You should ensure that you do not eat grapefruit, or have grapefruit juice when you take Zocor.  Having grapefruit or having grapefruit juice might increase the amount of Zocor in your blood. This may have some serious side effects. Also, if you are currently taking cholestyramine, you should ensure that you have at least a 12 hour difference between taking the cholestyramine and Zocor, so that the drug reaction is minimized.

The amount of Zocor in the blood can be reduced by Cholesyramine, and will therefore decrease the effectiveness. Zocor works best when it is coupled with exercise and diet. Also, while taking Zocor, make sure that the cholesterol and other fat intake is at the minimum.

If you miss a dose, do not take it if you remember it quite near your next dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. You can continue your daily dosing schedule once you have taken any dose at the right time.

Overdose

Seek medical attention if you suspect an overdose.
 

You should ensure the safety of the medicine before taking any kind of medicine. In the case of Zocor, make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients of the medicine. The best way to do is by telling your pharmacist or your doctor about any allergies that you may have. If you are allergic to any food item, or have severe kidney problems, or even if you have a history of medical aspects like uncontrolled seizures, trauma, history of liver disease, you should inform your doctor.
Also, if you have endocrine or metabolic disease, or low blood pressure, you should inform your doctor. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should inform your doctor. You should not use Zocor if you are breastfeeding, because it is unknown whether Zocor can be transmitted through breast milk or not.
Also, there may be some medicines that interact with Zocor. Therefore, inform your doctor if you take any kinds of medicine, prescribed or unprescribed. Also, you should inform your doctor whether you are taking any kind of herbal preparation of dietary supplement. If you have any active liver disease, or you have some blood tests that indicate a liver disorder, make sure that you inform your doctor about it.
Also, if you are taking a kind of fibrate, like clofibrate or gemfibrozil, or even an HIV protease inhibitor, or an azole antifungal, or even medicines like macrolide, ketolide, nefazodone, you should inform your doctor.
You should also inform your doctor about any non prescription or prescription medicine, as well as any kind of herbal preparation that you are taking. Also, you should inform the doctor about any dietary supplements that you might be taking, if you are planning to take the medicine.
 

Possible Side Effects
Every medicine has its side effects, and so does this one. Some of the possible side effects are constipation, diarrhea, headache, a upset stomach or stomach pain. If you have any of these side effects, you should contact your doctor.
You should also seek medical attention if you have rashes, hives, face difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, or a swelling of the mouth, tongue or lips. Also, if you have blurred vision, or experience a change in the color and amount of urine.  Also, if you experience muscle weakness, tenderness, unnatural aches, and have a tiredness and fear, you should consult the doctor.