IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

ZOCOR is a prescription medicine and isn’t right for everyone, including women who are nursing or pregnant or who may become pregnant, anyone with liver problems, and people who are allergic to any ingredients of ZOCOR.

Unexplained muscle pain or weakness could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect and should be reported to your doctor right away. Your doctor may do blood tests before and during treatment with ZOCOR to check for liver problems. To avoid serious side effects, discuss with your doctor medicine or food you should avoid while on ZOCOR. Please read additional important patient product information and prescribing information.

Learn how ZOCOR can help reduce cholesterol and help protect the heart If you just got a prescription or have been taking ZOCOR, start here Merck Patient Assistance Program

For general health information

ZOCOR is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. 20450451(1)-08/04-ZOC

Zocor blocks the production of cholesterol in the body. It is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat) and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Zocor is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Zocor is therefore indicated as an addition to diet for many patients with high cholesterol when diet and exercise are inadequate. For patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and high cholesterol, Zocor is indicated as an addition to diet to reduce the risk of death by reducing coronary death; to reduce the risk of heart attack; to reduce the risk for undergoing cardiac procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty); and to reduce the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Other accepted uses include: gallstone prevention (as a combination therapy), lipid disorders occurring with kidney disease, may improve the balance of LDL and HDL in combination with estrogen in post-menopausal women.

The best way to lower cholesterol is through a program of healthy diet and exercise, and these should be maintained during treatment with Zocor.

The usual starting dose is 20 mg, up to a maximum of 80 mg daily. Individuals who are over 60, or have compromised immune systems (due to illness or major surgery), may be started on 5 mg daily. Your doctor will base your individual dosage recommendation on their examination findings.

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