Zocor Side Effects Attorneys

Zocor Side Effects

As an inhibitor, Zocor may benefit users by helping lower their cholesterol levels, but the Merck & Co. medication also carries with it certain dangers and side effects that can affect the well-being of those who use it. While most medications carry with them a list of side effects, the majority of those side effects are typically fairly mild. While Zocor users must accept these milder side effects, there are also more dangerous side effects that can pose a fatal threat to all who use the drug.

Minor side effects of Zocor include:

• Stomach nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and heartburn
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Allergic reactions, which could result in rashes, swelling, dizziness and difficulty breathing

More serious side effects associated with Zocor use include:

• Myopathy - characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, and/or weakness
• Rhabdomyolysis - characterized by same symptoms as myopathy, but include fatigue, muscle stiffness (myalgia), and dark or red colored urine; fever or flu like symptoms may also present themselves
• Kidney (Renal) failure - there are numerous symptoms of kidney failure, including weakness, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and less visible symptoms such as high potassium (hyperkalemia) and urine (uremia) levels in the blood.

Myoglobin released when rhabdomyolysis sets in can cause kidney obstruction, such as acute tubular necrosis, or possibly even kidney failure which could lead to death. Furthermore, blood flow to the kidneys can be reduced if broken down muscle tissue causes large fluid shifts from the bloodstream into the muscle (thus reducing fluid volume).

Side effects of Zocor use can present themselves either in a matter of days, or after months of use of the drug. Muscle fatigue and weakness in the arms and legs is the most obvious symptom of something being wrong, although many users don't necessarily see the correlation between their ailments and Zocor use. Unfortunately, the longer side effects resulting from Zocor use are ignored, the risk of serious complications and injury are greatly increased, and include not only kidney failure, but also liver failure, inhibition of enzymes.

Medical professionals need to be careful when prescribing Zocor in 80 mg dosages. Elderly users could be especially sensitive to the muscle damage it may cause, and women who are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant should not take Zocor, as it may harm newborn babies. Furthermore, it is not recommended for users of Zocor to breastfeed newborns, as it is unknown whether or not the drug could pass into the breast milk.

If you're suffering from the side effects of Zocor administered in an 80 mg dose, please don't hesitate to contact your physician. Consult the services of an experienced Zocor attorney at Anapol Schwartz if you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as rhabdomyolysis or kidney failure. Our personal injury attorneys will fight to ensure that your rights as a patient are not infringed upon in a court of law, and will hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for any negligent action they may have taken. Call us today at 1-866-735-2792 for a free case evaluation.

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