This belongs to the group of medicines known as lipid-regulating drugs.

Zocor is used to lower levels of cholesterol and other lipids (fats) in the blood. Cholesterol is made naturally in the body and is absorbed from the food we eat. If levels of cholesterol are too high in the blood stream, it can stick to the walls of blood vessels. Eventually this leads to a narrowing of the blood vessels and can even block them completely.

High levels of cholesterol do not make people feel ill but can cause problems if left untreated. This medicine may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol and fats building up in blood vessels, such as heart disease and other problems.

Zocor is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Zocor, Simvador, Simzal, Ranzolont. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Zocor tablets contain the active ingredient Zocor, which is a type of drug called a statin. Zocor is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Zocor works by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol; a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein and a 'good' sort called high density lipoprotein. LDL is deposited in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease by clogging and narrowing the arteries, while HDL actually protects the arteries against this. Zocor decreases the production of LDL cholesterol by blocking the action of the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for its production. This decreases the amount of cholesterol in the liver cells, which causes them to take up LDL cholesterol from the blood. The decreased cholesterol production and increased removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood ultimately results in lowered blood cholesterol levels. As the body produces most cholesterol at night, statins are generally more effective if taken at night. Zocor also causes a small decrease in the production of other 'bad fats' in the blood called triglycerides, and a small increase in the level of HDL cholesterol. This results in lowered levels of 'bad fats' and raised levels of 'good fats' in the blood. Statins have an important role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. They reduce the risk of excess cholesterol being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart. Any blockage in the blood vessels limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain and in severe cases can result in a heart attack. Zocor is used to lower cholesterol in people who have high levels either due to genetics or as a result of diet and lifestyle. This helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, angina and heart attacks. Zocor can also be used to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in people who have already had a heart attack, or who suffer from angina or diabetes. In these people Zocor slows down hardening of the arteries, regardless of your cholesterol level. It reduces the risk of needing procedures to improve blood supply to the heart, such as a balloon dilation of an artery or a heart bypass graft. It also reduces the risk of heart attack and death. It is important to continue to follow a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise regime while taking Zocor. Discuss this with your doctor.

Treatments

* High blood cholesterol levels. * Inherited high blood cholesterol levels. * High levels of any or all of the fats in the blood, such as cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins. * Reducing risk of death and illness from coronary heart disease in people who have had a heart attack, or who have angina or diabetes.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* abdominal pain * constipation * flatulence * feeling of weakness * headache * dizziness * pins and needles * indigestion * nausea and vomiting * diarrhoea * anaemia * liver disorders * rash or itching * hair loss * muscle disorders.