What Is Zocor (Simvastatin)
Zocor belongs to a class of drugs known as statins, also called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Statins reduce cholesterol levels in your blood by blocking an enzyme needed to make cholesterol, as well as increasing the number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) receptors in the liver, so the liver can process more of the LDL found in your blood.
By lowering cholesterol, statins help to prevent the buildup of plaque in blood vessels, which can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease, and stroke.
Statins are used to help prevent heart disease in those who don't have it but are at risk, and in those who have already had some form of cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke or heart attack.
Your doctor will prescribe Zocor along with suggesting a healthy diet, weight loss if you need it, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other problems.
Zocor, manufactured by Merck & Co., was approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) in 1991. The FDA approved the first generic version of simvastatin in 2006, and now many companies offer the generic version.
Zocor is offered in a tablet form or a disintegrating tablet form.
