Zocor and niacin side effects
Common Questions and Answers about Zocor and niacin side effects
zocor
Advicor (lovastatin/niacin extended-release), Simcor (simvastatin/niacin extended-release), and Vytorin (simvastatin/ezetimibe).
The new labels will warn patients about:
Memory loss and mental confusion. Some people taking statin drugs have experienced these brain-related effects. These effects usually have not been serious and went away when patients stopped using the drugs.
Risk of high blood sugar.
Risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
My father has been having the same problem of muscle loss while taking zocor. He has been very fit his whole life and was a marathon swimmer - and at 84 years old he still exercises regularly. However, he finds his doctors are very UNsympathetic to his complaint that the cholesterol lowering medications are stripping his muscles away.
Kevin,
I am a 52 yr old female. I am a 2 1/2 yr Breast Cancer Survivor...(YEA!), so, I have done this drugs takin' away my hair thing! My hair came back thicker, curly & less grey! Well, my Dr. put me on Zocor for high cholesterol 2 mos. ago...I noticed about 3 1/2 weeks ago that there was more hair in my brush...and, it felt thinner. Well, it's getting BAD! I called my Dr.
I have hypertension and 5 days ago I had a heart cath procedure. They found two arteries bocked 40%. Decided no need to do anything at present time. I have always kept my B/P around 130/ 70 with medication. Since the heart cath. it has been high even with meds. and I have a terrible heart flutter. Now B/P is averaging between 189/92
to 182/ 85 I am worried. That something maybe wrong after the Heart Catharization.
If it were me I would give pravastatin a chance, but if I had the same side effects and I could not live with them, I would try something like Zetia. You could also add a fenofibrate like Tricor to lower your TGLs as well, very safe and no side effects. This will help lower your overall number but will not impact your LDL which is you main issue. You really need to get that under 130 with no other risk factors.
I'm 63 years old, 6'2", 186 lbs. I exercise vigourousy 5 to 6 days a week and am careful with my diet.
My cholesterol before the supplements was 205 to 220. It wasn't resopnding to diet and exercise, that's when my doctor put me on Zocor. My cholesterol came down to 136 but I had terrible side effects. Someone told me about The 8 Week Cholesterol Cure book, thought I'd give it a try.
Vytorin does a remarkable job of reducing your Cholesterol, much better than Zocor (Simvastatin) alone. However, Zetia doesn't seem to add anything to the picture as far as preventing heart disease is concened. But read this about Zocor:
-"Zocor Users Not Warned of Risks:
The FDA's June 2011 safety alert is the most serious of many warnings regarding Zocor and associated risks of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Zocor manufacturer Merck & Co.
hi Abulafia, welcome to the forum here. Simastatins were in the news again this week- they are suspected to be nowhere nearly as effective as the statins.
My DH was just at the cardiologist this week and had niacin added back into his regimen. He is an open heart patient, doing well now, but battling the inherited high cholesterol.
His Cardio doc said to ramp up to 1000mg a day - he has him starting with 100mg twice a day to start. It needs to be titrated just like so many other drugs.
I'm on Simvastatin (40mg) which have some nasty side effects, like cramps and muscle spasms. Can you reommend an alternative?
I've been on Zocor for the last 4 1/2 yrs and never had any sleep problems, but everybody is different. Tell your doctor about it and see what he says/thinks should be done.
Thank you for your assessment is ischemic damage reflected on my brain scan. I have read the side effects of zocor because I am already experiencing several side effects from Lamictal. Are there any natural medications I could use as an alternative? I have low blood pressure and my cholesterol levels are slightly over the normal range.
i take fish oil , flaxseed and medamusal.
The popping of capillaries could be due to high blood pressure. It could be the side effects of your blood pressure medications. Zocor too could cause this. Other than this it could be due to clotting disorders, low platelet count, fragile spider veins, deep vein thrombus, deficiency of Vitamin B12, folic acid, or Vit K, a liver disease or certain cancers. It could also be due to pressure urticaria. Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Take care!
5 metoprolol,I,m very active, softball coach,30x60 garden,mow and trim one acre. 70 years with no after effects of these occurances. Dr did not suggest any restrictions of activities or food. He did talk about the heart pumping to fast and he could install a defibrillator. He felt I would have a heart attack next rather than stroke. No time element was given. I will do anything he suggest but........ Six days later I'm wondering if I've missed out on his suggestion, I didnt get it.
But this medication is not recommended to be taken by your own because you may miss some important side effects. Side effects include flushing, stomach upset, vomitings,headache, dizziness,liver damage in some cases.Niacin can also raise blood sugar levels in some cases. Taking the drug during or after the meals can help people to develop a tolerance to flushing and to sometimes decrease it.
While you are on niacin, the effect of high blood pressure medicines may also be increased.
I was reading up on trials of Lipitor combined with Copaxone in low doses for MS:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60531
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/527808
I could not really determine the results. However on looking on the other side many people taking statin drugs complained of muscle weakness, dizziness, balance, memory and numbness and tingling problems.
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