10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg\u00a0film-coated tablets
simvastatin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zocord contains the active substance\u00a0simvastatin.\u00a0Zocord is a drug that is used to lower the levels of total cholesterol in the blood, the “bad”\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0(\u00a0LDL\u00a0–\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0), and blood fats known as\u00a0triglycerides.\u00a0Zocord also increases the levels of “good”\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0(\u00a0HDL\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0).\u00a0Zocord belongs to a group of drugs called statins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cholesterol\u00a0is one of several fats found in your blood.\u00a0Your total cholesterol consists mainly\u00a0of\u00a0LDL\u00a0and\u00a0HDL\u00a0cholesterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LDL\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0is often called “bad”\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0because it causes fatty deposits in your vessel walls and\u00a0forms\u00a0plaque.\u00a0This\u00a0plaque\u00a0deposit can eventually lead to a narrowing of your\u00a0vessels.\u00a0This narrowing can reduce or block blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain.\u00a0Blockage of blood flow can result in a heart attack or\u00a0stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HDL cholesterol is often called the “good” cholesterol because it helps prevent the “bad” cholesterol from being stored in blood vessels and protects against heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should continue with a cholesterol-lowering diet while taking this medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zocord is used in addition to your cholesterol-lowering diet if you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most people, high\u00a0cholesterol\u00a0does not cause immediate symptoms.\u00a0Your doctor can measure your cholesterol level with a simple blood test.\u00a0Visit your doctor regularly, monitor your cholesterol level, and discuss your goals with your doctor.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not take more than 40 mg of Zocord if you are taking<\/p>\n\n\n\n
lomitapide (used to treat a serious and rare genetic cholesterol condition).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consult a doctor if you are unsure whether your medicine is listed above.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Inform the doctor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor should do a blood test before you start taking Zocord, and if you have any symptoms of liver problems while taking Zocord. This blood test is taken to check your liver function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also need to do a blood test to check your liver function after you start taking Zocord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During treatment with this medicine, the doctor will check you carefully if you have\u00a0diabetes\u00a0or are at risk of developing\u00a0diabetes.\u00a0You are more likely to be at risk of\u00a0diabetes\u00a0if you have high blood sugar and blood fat levels, are overweight, and have high\u00a0blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell your doctor if you have any serious lung disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact a doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness. The reason for this is that in rare cases, muscle problems can be serious and involve the breakdown of muscles with kidney damage as a result, and in very rare cases, deaths have occurred.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The risk of muscle breakdown is greater with higher doses of Zocord, especially for doses of 80 mg. The risk of muscle breakdown is also greater in some patients. Talk to your doctor if any of the following apply to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent muscle weakness. Additional tests and medications may be needed to investigate and treat this.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The safety and effectiveness of Zocord have been studied in boys aged 10-17 years and in girls who have had periods for at least one year (see section 3: How to take Zocord).\u00a0Zocord has not been studied in children under 10 years of age.\u00a0For further information, consult a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or may be taking other medicines with any of the following active ingredients.\u00a0Taking Zocord with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of muscle problems (some of these have already been listed in the section above “Do not take Zocord”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines in addition to those mentioned above, even those without a prescription. It is especially important to tell the doctor if you are taking medicines with any of the following active ingredients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell any doctor who prescribes a new drug for you that you are taking Zocord.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grapefruit juice contains one or more substances that can affect the body’s breakdown of certain medications, including Zocord. Consumption of grapefruit juice should be avoided.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.\u00a0If you become pregnant while taking Zocord, stop treatment immediately and tell your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not take Zocord if you are breastfeeding because it is unknown if the drug passes into breast milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zocord is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, keep in mind that some people get dizzy after taking Zocord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention.\u00a0One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and\/or\u00a0side effects.\u00a0A description of these effects and\u00a0side effects\u00a0can be found in other sections.\u00a0Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.\u00a0Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zocord contains a type of sugar called\u00a0lactose.\u00a0If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should contact your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor will decide which\u00a0dose\u00a0is appropriate for you depending on your symptoms, your current treatment, and your risk profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always take this medicine as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should continue with a cholesterol-lowering diet while taking Zocord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dosage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recommended\u00a0dose\u00a0is\u00a0simvastatin\u00a05mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, or 80mg once daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adults:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common starting dose is 10, 20, or in some cases 40 mg daily.\u00a0Your doctor may, after at least 4 weeks, need to adjust your\u00a0dose\u00a0to a maximum of 80 mg per day.\u00a0Do not take more than 80 mg per day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you, especially if you take certain medicines listed above or have certain kidney problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dose\u00a0of 80 mg is only recommended for adult patients with very high cholesterol levels who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and who have not achieved their treatment goals on a lower\u00a0dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recommended starting dose for children (10 \u2013 17 years) is usually 10 mg in the evening. The highest recommended dose is 40 mg daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Method of administration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take Zocord in the evening. Zocord can be taken with or without food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep taking Zocord unless your doctor tells you to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your doctor has prescribed Zocord along with another cholesterol-lowering drug that contains bile acid sequestrants, you should take Zocord at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take the bile acid sequestrant.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have ingested too much medicine or if, for example, a child has ingested the medicine by mistake, contact a doctor or hospital for an assessment of the risk and advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet. Just take your usual dose of Zocord at your usual time the next day.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Talk to your doctor or pharmacist as your cholesterol levels may rise again.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWarnings and precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Children and young people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other drugs and Zocord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Zocord with food and drink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Driving ability and use of machinery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Zocord contains lactose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to take Zocord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use for children and adolescents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have taken too much Zocord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you forget to take Zocord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you stop taking Zocord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n