The drug "Zokor": analogues, indications for use, composition, reviews

In the article, we consider the analogues of Zokor and the instructions for it.

It is a lipid-lowering medication. The main active ingredient in the composition of Zokor is simvastatin in an amount of 10, 20 mg. Excipients are: starch, magnesium stearate, butylhydroxyanisole, microcrystalline cellulose, ascorbic acid, lactose monohydrate.

As indicated by the instructions for use with Zokor Forte, its concentration of the active component is 40 mg.

Pharmacological forms

The manufacturer produces the medicine in tablet form. Tablets with a dosage of 10 mg of the active ingredient have a light pink color, oval smooth shape on one side, and engraving is located on the other.

Zokor tablets with a dosage of 20 mg simvastatin have a yellow-brown color, an oval smooth shape on the one hand, and engraving is located on the other.

Tablets with a dosage of simvastatin 40 mg (Zokor Forte) have a pink color, an oval smooth shape on one side, and engraving is located on the other.

Packed in tablets in blisters of 14 pieces. Each cardboard packaging can contain 1 or 2 blisters.

This is confirmed by the instructions for use. Analogs of the Zokor will be considered below.

Indications for use

The drug is recommended for use by patients belonging to a risk group for the development of cardiac ischemia. Also at risk include people with pathologies such as:

1. Diseases of the peripheral circulation.
2. Diabetes.
3. Cerebrovascular pathology.

The drug can be used to treat patients suffering from ischemic heart disease, hypercholesterolemia. In this case, it helps to prevent atherosclerotic pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

The list of indications for the use of the drug "Zokor" is quite impressive.

It can also be recommended for use in the following cases:

1. Homozygous familial form of hypercholesterolemia (in combination with diet therapy, other methods).
2. Low cholesterol of high-density lipoproteins associated with primary hypercholesterolemia caused by diet therapy.
3. Hypertriglyceridemia.
4. Elevated levels of apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol (in combination with diet therapy).
   

Contraindications

Consider the contraindications of Zokora. The medication is not prescribed if the patient has such physiological, pathological conditions:

1. Age to 10 years.
2. Pregnancy.
3. The lactation period.
4. Individual susceptibility.
5. Acute forms of hepatic pathologies, a steady and significant increase in the level of transaminases, the genesis of which has not been established.
6. Impaired metabolism and assimilation of lactose.

Zokor is relatively contraindicated in the following cases:

1. Several years of diabetes.
2. Alcoholism.
3. Decreased liver function.
4. Decreased kidney function.

In the case of relative contraindications, take the drug with caution.

Negative impact

According to the instructions for use and reviews of Zokor, the following negative symptoms may develop in patients with treatment:

1. Arthralgia, increased ESR, arthritis, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, angioedema.
2. Decreased liver function, rhabdomyolysis, myopathy.
3. Itching, alopecia, rash.
4. Violation of sleep, memory, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, convulsions, dizziness.
5. Anemia, general weakness, headache.
6. Defecation disorder, bloating, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort.

In general, the drug is well tolerated by patients.

Use of medication

Take the drug "Zokor" should be orally, without reference to meals. The average daily dose of the drug is 5-80 mg. 80 mg is the maximum allowable dosage of simvastatin, which can be taken during the day.

The dose is selected by a specialist individually. So, for the purpose of therapy and prevention of coronary heart disease in combination with diet therapy, it is shown to take 40 mg of Zokora per day.

In order to treat hypercholesterolemia, it is indicated to take 20 mg of Zokor per day.

Effect on the liver

Clinical studies in adult patients treated with simvastatin have found a steady increase in liver enzymes. Upon termination or interruption of medication, the activity of transaminases usually gradually return to their original value. This is not associated with jaundice or other clinical symptoms, but may indicate deviations in the results of functional liver tests and / or alcohol abuse before starting therapy. Hypersensitivity reactions were not detected.

Cost

A pack of 28 Zokora tablets with a dosage of 20 mg will cost about 750 rubles, with a dosage of 40 mg - 500 rubles. It depends on the region and the pharmacy network.

Analogs of Zokora

If necessary, Zokor can be replaced with one of the following similar preparations: Simvor, Zovatin, Simgal, Vabadin, Levomir, Aterostat, Simlo, Simvakard, Avestatin, Simvastatin ”,“ Akorta ”,“ Pravastatin ”,“ Simvastol ”,“ Ariescor ”,“ Simgal ”,“ Lovastatin ”,“ Lipitor ”,“ Liptonorm ”,“ Rosulip ”,“ Rosart ”,“ Tevastor ”,“ Atomax ” , Liprimar, Atoris, Rosucard, Vasilip, Roxera, Rosuvastatin, Tulip, Krestor.

The effect of these medicines is similar, the need to use a specific drug in each case should be determined by the doctor.

"Crestor"

Krestor is one of the analogues of Zokor. The active ingredient in its composition is calcium rosuvastatin. Additional substances are: magnesium stearate, glycerol triacetate, E172, E171, hypromellose, calcium phosphate, lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, microcrystalline cellulose.

The manufacturer "Crestor" is available in tablet form. Each tablet may contain 5, 10, 20, 40 mg of active substance. Like Zokor, Krestor is a lipid-lowering medication.

Which is better - “Zokor” or “Krestor” is rather difficult to solve.

The main indications for its use are:

1. Prevention of the development of cardiovascular pathologies.
2. Atherosclerosis.
3. Mixed hypercholesterolemia (as an element of complex therapy along with weight loss, physical activity, diet therapy).
4. Prevention, therapy of familial hypercholesterolemia.

"Crestor" is contraindicated in the presence of such physiological, pathological conditions as:

1. Susceptibility to any component of the drug.
2. Age to 18 years.
3. Myopathy
4. Therapy with cyclosporin drugs.
5. Pregnancy, lactation period.
6. Severe forms of hepatic pathologies, in particular, associated with an increase in the number of transaminases in the blood.

Against the background of the use of the drug, such negative symptoms may occur as:

1. Tubular proteinuria.
2. Asthenia.
3. Diarrhea, constipation, pancreatitis, nausea.
4. Allergic answers.
5. Myopathy
6. Polyneuropathy, headache.

Take "Crestor" should be orally, whole, not allowing chewing. It is recommended to start drug therapy with an initial dosage of 5 mg, after three weeks the doctor determines the need to increase the dosage to 20 or 40 mg based on the patient's well-being.

Often, patients are interested in which of the drugs, Zokor or Krestor, is better. The answer to this question cannot be unequivocal. Firstly, the drug is based on various active ingredients. Secondly, the body of each person is individual: a drug effective for one patient may not be suitable for another patient. That is why a specialist should choose the most suitable medication.

Simvastatin

"Simvastatin" is an analogue of "Zokor" in the active component, it is based on simvastatin. As auxiliary substances are used: butylhydroxyanisole, macrogol, talc, hypromellose, ascorbic acid, corn starch, lactose, povidone, citric acid, titanium dioxide, calcium stearate.

The manufacturer "Simvastatin" is available in the form of tablets, packaged in blisters or cans of polymer plastic and having a dosage of active substance 10, 20, 40, 80 mg.

Among the indications for the use of Simvastatin are the following conditions:

1. Prevention of the progression of atherosclerosis.
2. Prevention of transient ischemic attack, stroke.
3. Prevention of myocardial infarction.
4. Combined type hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia (if adequate physical activity and diet therapy are ineffective).
5. Primary hypercholesterolemia (if there is no effectiveness from non-drug methods and diet therapy) in patients at risk of developing atherosclerosis.

"Simvastatin" is absolutely contraindicated to use if the patient has such pathological, physiological conditions:

1. Age to 18 years.
2. Acute liver disease.
3. Individual susceptibility to the components of the drug.
4. Increased AST, ALT.
5. Myopathy, other skeletal muscle pathologies.

Among the relative contraindications (conditions requiring careful use of the drug):

1. Surgical interventions, injuries.
2. Epilepsy.
3. Metabolic disorders.
4. Marked pathologies of the endocrine system.
5. The imbalance is water-electrolyte.
6. Arterial hypotension.
7. Alcoholism.
8. The rehabilitation period after organ transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy.

The use of "Simvastatin" can negatively affect the patient's condition, causing such negative symptoms as:

1. Anemia, palpitations, acute forms of renal failure, provoked by rhabdomyolysis, decreased potency.
2. Alopecia, pruritus, dermatomyositis.
3. Myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, severe weakness, myopathy, muscle cramps.
4. Shortness of breath, arthritis, hyperemia of the skin, increased ESR, fever, urticaria, photosensitivity, lupus-like syndrome, eosinophilia, polymyalgia rheumatica, thrombocytopenia, angioedema.
5. Peripheral neuropathy.
6. Insomnia, muscle cramps, taste disturbance, dizziness, paresthesia, asthenic syndrome, migraine, blurred vision.
7. Nausea, diarrhea syndrome, vomiting, increased AST, ALT, CPK, constipation, epigastric pain, flatulence, pancreatitis.

The use of Simvastatin should begin with the minimum doses, gradually increasing them every month. It is recommended to use the drug once a day, at bedtime, taking 1 tablet. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the condition of the patient. As a rule, the effectiveness of the drug is observed when using 20 mg of the drug per day.

The average cost of a Simvastatin package is 400 rubles.

Simgal

Simgal is also an analogue of Zokor in terms of the active component. It contains simvastatin. Additional components are: lactose monohydrate, microcellulose, magnesium stearate, citric acid monohydrate, pregelatinized starch, butyl hydroxyanisole, ascorbic acid.

The manufacturer "Simgal" is available in tablet form, tablets may have a dosage of simvastatin 10, 20, 40 mg.

The main indications for the use of Simgal:

1. Prevention of CCC pathologies in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis.
2. Therapy of hypercholesterolemia (primary, hereditary homozygous).
3. Therapy of mixed dyslipidemia.

Simgal is contraindicated in the following cases:

1. Therapy with potent drugs inhibiting cytochrome CYP3A4 (Nefazodon, Telithromycin, Itraconazole, Nelfinar, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin).
2. Lactation period, pregnancy.
3. Elevated levels of transaminases.
4. Exacerbations of hepatic pathologies.
5. Increased susceptibility to the components of the drug.

With the use of Simgal, the following negative symptoms may develop:

1. Increased levels of alkaline phosphatase, transaminases.
2. Weakness, shortness of breath, eosinophilia, photosensitivity, thrombocytopenia, polymyalgia of the rheumatic type, arthritis, vasculitis, angioedema.
3. Asthenia, myositis, muscle spasms, myopathy.
4. Alopecia, itching, rash, jaundice, hepatitis.
5. Pancreatitis, stomach pain, vomiting, upset stool.
6. Peripheral polyneuropathy, convulsions, dizziness, paresthesia, headache, anemia.
7. Sexual dysfunction, depression, impaired memory, sleep.

It is recommended to take Simgal once a day for 10-20 mg. In some cases, in agreement with a specialist, an increase in the daily dose to 80 mg is allowed. If required, the tablet can be divided into several parts. The exact dosage of the drug should be determined by your doctor.

Patient reviews about Zokor

This medication and its analogues are characterized by patients as effective means of preventing pathologies of CVS and therapy of hypercholesterolemia. The convenience of using the drugs is noted separately, most often doctors recommend a single dose per day of the drug, which greatly facilitates the patient's use of the drug.

We reviewed the instructions for use with Zokor, reviews, as well as analogues to it.