Call Us - We're Easy to Talk To (214) 999-9999

Cholesterol Drug Zocor Can Increase Risk of Muscle Damage

Simvastatin (marketed as Zocor; also an ingredient in Vytorin and Simcor) is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Merck obtained approval by the FDA in 1991 and it was their largest selling drug prior to the loss of patent protection in early 2006. Zocor was also the second largest selling cholesterol-lowering drug in the world. Merck recorded $4.3 billion in sales for Zocor in 2005. Generic sales began in June 2006. The FDA estimates that over 2 million people were prescribed simvastatin 80 mg in 2010.

A new study shows that 80 mg doses of simvastatin can increase the risk of muscle damage. This has prompted the FDA to revise prescribing information for simvastatin 80 mg, stating that it should not be started in new patients and should not be used in combination with certain drugs.

Patients taking simvastatin 80 mg daily have an increased risk of myopathy (muscle damage, pain, tenderness or weakness, and an elevation of a muscle enzyme in the blood, dark or red-colored urine, fatigue). The most serious form of myopathy is rhabdomyolysis, which results in kidney damage and/or kidney failure.

Bob Kraft

I am a Dallas, Texas lawyer who has had the privilege of helping thousands of clients since 1971 in the areas of Personal Injury law and Social Security Disability.

About This Blog

The title of this blog reflects my attitude toward those government agencies and insurance companies that routinely mistreat injured or disabled people. As a Dallas, Texas lawyer, I've spent more than 45 years trying to help those poor folk, and I have been frustrated daily by the actions of the people on the other side of their claims. (Sorry if I offended you...)

If you find this type of information interesting or helpful, please visit my law firm's main website at KraftLaw.com. You will find many more articles and links. Thank you for your time.

Find us on your preferred network