This prescription tablet, Zocor may interact with other medicines or certain foods, increasing your risk of getting this serious side effect. So tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Remember we have FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING on Zocor and the Lowest Online Zocor Prices possible!

ZOCOR DRUG INFORMATION

Zocor, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin are used to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels.

These medicines belong to the group of medicines called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. They work by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol. Thus, less cholesterol is made.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are available only with your doctor’s prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Atorvastatin
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Cerivastatin
  • Tablets #
• Fluvastatin
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Lovastatin
  • Extended-Release Tablets (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Pravastatin
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Simvastatin
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using Zocor

In deciding to use Zocor, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet-Before prescribing medicines to lower your cholesterol, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet will be lower in total fat, particularly saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor’s orders for proper diet and exercise. Zocor is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed.

Also, Zocor is less effective if you are greatly overweight. It may be very important for you to go on a reducing diet. However, check with your doctor before going on any diet.

Pregnancy-HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should not be used during pregnancy or by women who plan to become pregnant in the near future. Zocor and similar medicines block formation of cholesterol, which is necessary for the fetus to develop properly. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause birth defects or other problems in the baby if taken during pregnancy. An effective form of birth control should be used during treatment with these medicines. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you have become pregnant while taking Zocor. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding-Zocor is not recommended for use during breast-feeding because they may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children-Studies on Zocor have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in children with use in other age groups. However, atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin have been used in a limited number of children under 18 years of age. Early information seems to show that these medicines may be effective in children, but their long-term safety has not been studied.

Older adults-Zocor has been tested in a limited number of patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as Zocor, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
• Gemfibrozil (e.g., Lopid) or
• Clofibrate (e.g., Atromid-S) or
• Fenofibrate (e.g., Tricor) or
• Niacin-Use of these medicines with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor may increase the risk of developing muscle problems and kidney failure

• Digoxin (e.g., Lanoxin)-Use with atorvastatin, fluvastatin, or simvastatin may increase blood levels of digoxin, increasing the risk of side effects

• Oral contraceptives, (birth control tablets)-Atorvastatin may increase the blood levels of the birth control hormones, increasing the risk of side effects

• HIV protease inhibitors (Amprenavir [e.g., Agenerase], Indinavir [e.g., Crixivan], Nelfinavir [e.g., Viracept], Ritonavir [e.g., Norvir], Saquinavir [e.g., Fortovase, Invirase]) or
• Nefazodone (e.g. Serzone)-Use with simvastatin may increase the risk of developing muscle problems and kidney failure

• Verapamil (e.g. Calan, Isoptin)-Use with simvastatin may increase the risk of muscle problems

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
• Liver disease-Use of Zocor may make liver problems worse

• Convulsions (seizures), not well-controlled, or
• Organ transplant with therapy to prevent transplant rejection or
• If you have recently had major surgery-Patients with these conditions may be at risk of developing problems that may lead to kidney failure

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Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription drug for lowering cholesterol. For people with high cholesterol, Lipitor, along with diet and exercise, can reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly. Lipitor is the #1 prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication prescribed to more than 18 million people.3 It’s been proven to bring numbers down and keep them there. Which is why doctors prescribe Lipitor more often than any other cholesterol-lowering medicine. It’s time to ask your doctor about Lipitor.

LIPITOR DRUG INFO

ATORVASTATIN – ORAL

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lipitor®

USES: This medication is used to treat help lower cholesteral.

HOW TO USE: Take atorvastatin tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the atorvastatin with a drink of water. Atorvastatin can be taken at anytime of the day with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: Rare or uncommon:; dark yellow or brown urine; decreased urination, difficulty passing urine; fever; muscle pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness; redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth; skin rash, itching; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):; diarrhea; gas; headache; joint pain; nausea, vomiting; stomach upset or pain; tiredness

PRECAUTIONS: Please let your Physician know if you have any of these conditions: an alcohol problem; any hormone disorder (such as diabetes, under-active thyroid); blood salt imbalance; infection; kidney disease; liver disease; low blood pressure; muscle disorder or condition; recent surgery; seizures (convulsions); severe injury; an unusual or allergic reaction to atorvastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant; breast-feeding

DRUG INTERACTIONS: alchohol-containing beverages; amiodarone; antacids; birth control pills; bosentan; certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin; cimetidine; digoxin; diltiazem; grapefruit juice; medicines for fungal infections (examples: fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, voriconazole); herbal medicines such as Went Yeast (Cholestin®); medicines for treating HIV infections; medicines that suppress your immune response (cyclosporine); medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides (examples: clofibrate, colestipol, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin); medicine used to stop early pregnancy (mifepristone, RU-486 or Mifeprex™); nefazodone; phenytoin; spironolactone; troglitazone; verapamil

NOTES: Atorvastatin is only part of a total cholesterol-lowering program. Your physician or dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet that will reduce your risk of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule. If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking atorvastatin

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

STORAGE: Store at controlled room temperature between 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

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