"Zokor" - a medicine belonging to the clinical and pharmacological group of lipid-lowering drugs. The active substance of the Zokor preparation is simvastine, in one tablet it can contain 10.20 and 40 mg, as well as auxiliary: ascorbic and citric acid, butylhydroxyanisole, talc, magnesium stearate and some others.
"Zokor" is a highly effective tool that provokes an overall decrease in cholesterol in the body. This is especially important with mixed hyperlipidemia, because with this diagnosis, its increased content is considered a risk factor. Over a period of 2 weeks, noticeable positive dynamics can be achieved, the therapeutic effect is kept at a maximum level for 4 to 6 weeks. The level of cholesterol returns to its original level when the treatment with Zokor is discontinued, the instructions for use contain some research data on the medication.
Monitoring of patients in the amount of about 4.5 thousand people was carried out for 5.4 years. All subjects had a cholesterol level in (mg / dl.), 212–309. Taking Zokor reduced the risk of mortality by 30%, the number of myocardial infarction by 37% (cases confirmed in the clinic), and 42% from Ischemic heart disease. In 37 out of 100 patients, there was no need for surgical intervention to normalize coronary blood flow.
In the UK for 5.5 years, a study was conducted of patients (20536 people) in whom IHD was observed or predicted. In the third part of the study, the risk of strokes and heart attacks was minimized. Moreover, the initial level of cholesterol, parallel therapeutic treatment, gender and age of the patients did not affect the effectiveness of taking the drug "Zokor". Instructions for use describe in detail its pharmacokinetics, before it enters the bloodstream, it is absorbed from the digestive tract. A high accumulation of simvastine in the liver was shown experimentally, in other organs its concentration was found in much smaller quantities, the active substance with bile is excreted.
Coronary heart disease is the main indication for the appointment of the drug "Zokor", the instructions for use identify several purposes for its use:
- a preventive measure against myocardial infarction;
- slowing down the process of coronary atherosclerosis;
- stabilization of cerebral circulation, reducing the risk of stroke.
With an increased level of cholesterol, taking the Zokor preparation helps to reduce it even with the ineffectiveness of therapeutic diets, as well as other non-pharmacological measures, when hypercholesterolemia has grown into a risk factor, it is advisable to prescribe this drug.
In the acute stage, liver failure refers to contraindications for taking the drug "Zokor". The instructions for use also do not recommend the use of the drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as when it is found that it is hypersensitive to the components of the drug.
Zokor causes some side effects from the digestive system. When taking the drug "Zokor", the instruction indicates possible constipation, abdominal pain, there is information about cases of hepatitis, pancreatitis, jaundice.
Side effects are observed in relation to the central nervous system, such as muscle cramps, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy.
Rarely, but there are allergic reactions in the form of angioedema, vasculitis, lupus-like syndrome, arthritis, increased ESR, fever, shortness of breath, eosinophilia.
In cases of overdose, no adverse adverse events were found, the maximum dose is 450 mg.
It is recommended to store Zokor at a maximum of 30 degrees, even a temporary exposure of t about 50 degrees should be avoided.