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Zocor® is a prescription drug to treat high cholesterol and fats in the blood. The generic name is simvastatin. Merck, the manufacturer of Zocor®, received approval in December 1991 to market the cholesterol lowering medication.

The cholesterol medication has been reportedly linked to a type of muscle damage that could cause kidney failure and death. Patients who sustain muscle damage classified as rhabdomyolysis after taking Zocor® can receive qualified legal representation by contacting our experienced dangerous drug attorneys.

Background Information: Zocor®

Simvastatin is derived synthetically from a fungal microorganism called Aspergillus terreus. It, and similar prescription drugs made by Merck such as Mevacor® and Pravachol®, work by inhibiting a certain enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver, where 78 percent of the body’s cholesterol is produced.

Merck sponsored a study that proved Zocor® to be a resounding success. In a large clinical trial, called the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, Zocor® cut the risk of death of recurrent heart attacks in patients who already had one heart attack by 30 percent. The study also showed the drug reduced:

• Non-fatal heart attacks by 37 percent
• Total cholesterol by 25 percent
• Low density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol) by 35 percent
• Triglycerides by 10 percent

In conclusion, the study found that Zocor®, combined with a good diet and exercise, reduced the death rate from heart disease by 42 percent. Plus, the medication was shown to lower the risk for heart attack and the need for coronary surgery.

It has been estimated that sales of Zocor® rose 80 percent following the publication of the study’s results.

Prescription Drug Zocor®

Patients have been taking Zocor® to lower their blood cholesterol since January 1992. They take it as tablets in either 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg doses of simvastatin plus the inactive ingredients used to manufacture the product.

Possible Side Effects

Despite its success in lowering cholesterol, Zocor® has been associated with some damaging side effects. In August 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public of the risk of uncommon muscle damage when Zocor® is taken with another heart medication — amiodarone®.

Zocor® and Rhabdomyolysis

The agency said it continues to get reports of an increased risk of a muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis when patients on amiodarone® take more than 20 mg daily of simvastatin.

Potentially Fatal Complications on Rhabdomyolysis

When a patient has rhabdomyolysis, the muscle fibers break down and their contents are released into the blood stream. The release of these compounds into the blood can lead to kidney damage and in certain instances kidney failure by blocking some of the organ’s structures.

If you’ve suffered this debilitating and potentially fatal complication, contact our Zocor attorneys for legal assistance. We may be able to recover compensation for your losses.