Zocor Side Effects

Zocor May Lower Your Cholesterol, but there is a Risk of Side Effects

Zocor side effects while affecting only about 2 percent of its users are extremely serious, perhaps devastating. Further, the longer you use Zocor the more you increase the risk that you will suffer from Zocor side effects. Remember unless you make lifestyle and diet changes along with Zocor you may be required to take it for life.

The Two Primary Zocor Side Effects are
Rhabdomyolysis (kidney damage) and Myopathy.

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious disorder that causes kidney damage as a result of the toxic effects of the contents of muscle cells. Myoglobin is an iron-containing pigment found in the skeletal muscle. When the skeletal muscle is damaged, the myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys. Myoglobin may obstruct the structures of the kidney, causing damage such as acute tubular necrosis or kidney failure. Myoglobin breaks down into potentially toxic compounds, which will also cause kidney failure.

Additionally, Necrotic (dead tissue) skeletal muscle may cause massive fluid shifts from the bloodstream into the muscle, reducing the relative fluid volume of the body and leading to shock and reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

According to the Zocor literature, if you have take Zocor and have experience any of the following Zocor side effects, you should contact your Doctor immediately.

• Abnormal urine color (dark, red, or cola colored)
• Muscle tenderness weakness of the affected muscle(s)
• Generalized weakness
• Muscle stiffness or aching (myalgia)

Myopathy

Myopathy is defined as any abnormal condition or disease of the muscle tissues, commonly involving skeletal tissue. Drug-induced myopathy usually develops insidiously.

The onset of muscle problems from Zocor side effects can occur from anywhere from a few days to several months after taking Zocor. Commonly, patients complain about progressive, generalized muscle weakness, muscle pain (myalgia), or fatigue. Typically, muscle weakness of the arms and legs is the most common and frequently described symptom.

Early recognition of Zocor side effects including Mypoathy is critical. If you suspect of suffering from Myopathy you need to stop taking Zocor immediately or have a doctor reduce the dosage immediately. If Myopathy diagnosis is not quickly made the risk of greater disability and complications, such as rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuric renal failure greatly increases. Risk factors associated with drug- induced myopathy include liver failure and limited enzyme production.

Alternatives to Zocor side effects

While it is imperative to lower your cholesterol levels, remember that Zocor and other cholesterol lowering drugs are not your only solutions to lowering your cholesterol levels.

Sometimes even a simple change of diet and exercising regularly may lower your cholesterol levels and risk of build up. If diet and exercise are not enough you may want to look at other alternatives, which are proven to lower cholesterol and most importantly without Zocor side effects.

Click here to learn how to lower your total cholesterol by 40 points or more naturally without Zocor or its side effects.

Next: Cholesterol Reducing Supplements