Zocor (simvastatin) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed to treat high cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems. As with other drugs, Zocor can cause side effects, such as headache and abdominal pain.

Zocor can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Zocor in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Zocor. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zocor’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Zocor include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Zocor and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Zocor. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Zocor may cause serious side effects. However, serious side effects from this medication are not common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zocor’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zocor, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Zocor. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Zocor may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Zocor 20 mg cause fewer side effects than Zocor 40 mg?

Yes, it’s possible that 20 milligrams (mg) of Zocor may cause fewer side effects than 40 mg.

Side effects of different Zocor strengths were not reported in the drug’s clinical trials. However, in general, taking a lower dose of a medication means there’s less of the active drug in your body. With less active drug, you may experience fewer side effects.

If you experience side effects that are severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may lower your dose to find out whether your side effects ease. However, it’s important that you do not adjust your dose of Zocor without first talking with your doctor.

For more information about Zocor and dosage, see this article.

Is Zocor safe for older adults?

Yes, Zocor is safe for older adults (ages 65 years and older) to take.

However, older adults may have a higher risk of certain side effects from this medication. Specifically, they may have an increased risk of muscle pain or weakness and rhabdomyolysis.

Due to this risk, doctors may recommend a lower dose of Zocor for older adults. In some cases, doctors may also recommend more frequent monitoring for side effects during treatment.

If you’re an adult age 65 years or older, talk with your doctor about what side effects you may expect with this medication.

How do side effects of Zocor seen in females compare with those seen in males?

Most of Zocor’s side effects were just as common in males* and females.* However, females taking Zocor may have a higher risk of muscle pain or weakness.

If you have concerns about possible side effects of Zocor, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Zocor may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Zocor.

Headache

Zocor may cause a headache. In fact, this was one of the most common side effects reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

What you can do

If you develop a bothersome or persistent headache during treatment with Zocor, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage this side effect, such as taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).

Elevated liver enzymes

It’s possible for Zocor to cause elevated liver enzymes. In clinical trials, this was a rare side effect.

When this side effect occurred, it was temporary and often did not cause any symptoms. However, it may be a symptom of certain liver problems, including liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure may include:

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Zocor, tell your doctor if you have a condition that affects your liver function. Whether or not this is the case, your doctor will likely order a liver function test. They may also retest your liver throughout treatment with Zocor as necessary.

In clinical trials, liver enzymes returned to typical levels as treatment with Zocor continued. Temporarily stopping treatment with Zocor also eased this side effect.

If you develop any symptoms of a liver problem, tell your doctor. They can run certain tests to find out whether your liver is functioning as expected. In some cases, they may recommend that you temporarily stop taking Zocor until your liver enzyme levels improve.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Zocor can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Zocor. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Zocor. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Muscle pain or weakness: Before you start taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you have a condition that causes muscle pain or weakness. This may include myasthenia gravis, certain kidney problems, and underactive thyroid. This is important because Zocor may cause muscle pain and weakness.

If you already experience this, taking Zocor may make your symptoms worse. Certain demographics may also have a higher risk of this side effect, including people of Chinese descent, adults ages 65 years or older, and people assigned female at birth.

Liver problems: Tell your doctor about any liver problems that you have before starting treatment with Zocor. This medication may cause elevated liver enzymes, which could be a symptom of a liver problem. If you already have a liver problem, Zocor may make your condition worse. Before taking Zocor, tell your doctor if you have a history of any liver problems. They can help determine whether Zocor is safe for you to take.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Zocor or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Zocor. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Zocor is not considered safe for you to take. This medication may cause harm to a developing fetus. Before starting treatment with this drug, be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either. They can discuss other treatment options for your condition.

If you become pregnant during treatment with Zocor, tell your doctor right away. They will likely recommend that you stop taking this drug.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between alcohol and Zocor. However, heavy alcohol consumption and Zocor can both lead to liver problems. If you drink alcohol, you may have a higher risk of this side effect during treatment with Zocor. Before you start taking this drug, tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. They can tell you how much, if any, is safe to consume during treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about Zocor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Zocor: For details about other aspects of Zocor, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison: To learn how Zocor compares with simvastatin (the generic version of the drug), read this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Zocor, view this article.
  • Interactions: To find out about Zocor’s interactions, see this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about the conditions Zocor is prescribed to treat, see our hubs for cholesterol and cardiovascular health.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.