Zocor Rhabdomyolysis Side Effects at 80mg Dose
As a result of an increased risk of muscle injury, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis from Zocor side effects, the FDA is calling for severe limits on the use of the cholesterol drug simvastatin at its highest dose. The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Zocor lawsuits for individuals who have experienced severe muscle problems, as it appears that the manufacturer should have issued these warnings some time ago.
>>CONTACT A LAWYER ABOUT MUSCLE PROBLEMS FROM ZOCOR 80MG<<
On June 8, the FDA indicated that new warnings will be added to the label for choleterol-lowering medications containing simvastating, indicating that 80 milligram dose has been associated with an increased risk of muscle injury or myopathy, especially during the first year of use. The medication is most commonly known as Zocor, but is also available as generic simvastatin. It is also used in combination with other drugs in the medications Vytorin and Simcor.
Doctors have been warned not to start new patients on 80 mg Zocor (simvastatin) prescriptions and to only use this highest dose among patients who have been taking 80mg Zocor for at least 12 months and have not experienced any muscle problems. The agency also added new contraindications and dose limitations when simvastatin is taken with certain other medications.
Zocor rhabdomyolysis side effects may cause nearly 5 out of every 100,000 people who regularly take Zocor 80mg dose to be hospitalized. Rhabdomyolysis from Zocor is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening injury, which causes muscle tissue to break down and can lead to kidney damage or kidney failure.
Symptoms of Zocor rhabdomyolysis or muscle problems may include:
- Muscle Cramps
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Pain
- Spasms
Until 2005, when generic versions became available, Zocor (simvastatin) was a top selling drug for Merck and remains popular today. Zocor or other drugs containing simvastatin, including Vytorin and Simcor, were used by 2.1 million Americans last year.
Zocor is a member of a family of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. While all statins carry some risk of rhabdomyolysis and myopathy, the risk appears to be unacceptably high with 80 mg doses of simvastatin. That risk is increased even further when combined with certain other drugs and in people who are genetically predisposed to Zocor rhabdomyolysis.
The FDA released these new recommendations and warnings after reviewing clinical trial data and other information which has been available to the manufacturers for some time.
ZOCOR LAWSUIT EVALUATIONS
Individuals who have suffered Zocor muscle problems or rhabdomyolysis after using 80 mg simvastatin may be entitled to compensation through a Zocor lawsuit as a result of the manufacturer’s failure to fully research the side effects of simvastatin at high doses or adequately warn about the risk of Zocor problems.
The Zocor lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are providing free consultations and claim evaluations to help individuals determine whether they may have a claim. To review a potential Zocor rhabdomyolysis lawsuit for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
7 Comments • Add Your Comments
Delmar says:
Major medical issues go unresolved to many medications….follow up should be done on all medications prescribed, when a patient has complications ,then pass….should be the law …..
Posted on June 16, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Cathy says:
I have been having alot of muscle pain, at times it is hard to walk.
Posted on June 18, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Doris says:
For the better part of 2010 I have had excruciating pain in my shoulder
muscle. I thought it was from maybe crumbling bones. I never did ask my doctor as I do have other health problems. However, lately the same
shoulder muscle is hurting again. The pain strikes then subsides. I still do not know why this is happening
Posted on June 27, 2011 at 1:00 am
Patricia says:
I have taken amlodipine and simivastatin . While the dose of s. was 40, I am only 122 lbs and have had severe muscle problems for almost two years. I hope the lower dose combination will also be investigated.
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Quentin says:
Yesterday I was advised by my pharmacist that I should consider stopping the use of SIMVASTATIN (ZOCOR) 80mg. I’ve been taking this medication for a couple of years and have noticed severe pain in the back of both Hamstring Muscles. Just sneezing or blowing my nose, I would feel sharp pains shoot through my Hamstring Muscles, from the hips down to the backs of my knees. Lately I’ve been having minor Cramps on both legs. Also I’ve noticed muscle acks all over my arms and back. Can this be the cause of taking SIMVASTATIN (ZOCOR)
Posted on July 24, 2011 at 11:42 am
Nora says:
I have benn taking 80mg Zocor for many years. None of my doctors has mentioned stopping or cutting the dose that I have been taking. I had my blood work done two weeks ago and my liver enzyme was very high and two weeks prior I had by blood work done in another doctors office and it was fine. My doctor did call me about my liver enzmye being so high and tlold me to lay off taking Zcor for three weeks. This is my second week so I don’t know what mycholesterol number is now. My previous number was 145. I have had alot of the side effects such as severe pain in back and legs,numbness in left foot, hands going to sleep while working. It’s been two weeks since I stopped taking Zcor and my aches and pains are a lot better. I will be talking to by doctor about this my next appointment..
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Steve says:
My doctor took me off simvastatin 1 week ago Wed.,after this I started looking up health warnings on this product after finding out all these side effects(all of them I have) I went to see him today and asked him to run test to see if the simvastatin was the cause of my problems,without thinking about it or running the test he said no! I’ve been taking simvastatin 80mg and amlodipine10mg for years.Now I wonder is he covering for the drug company,or trying to cover his own behind.I mean he can’t figure out what’s wrong with me and won’t test for something that show’s the side effects that I suffer from.
Posted on March 24, 2012 at 2:22 am