What is Zocor Heart-Pro For?
Zocor Heart-Pro tablets can reduce the risk of heart attack in people who have a moderate risk of coronary heart disease (heart disease because of build up of plaques in the coronary arteries). Moderate risk means your chances of having a heart attack in the next 10 years are at least 1 in 10. The active ingredient in Zocor Heart-Pro, simvastatin, belongs to a group of medicines known as statins. These significantly reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Zocor Heart-Pro reduces the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol and fatty substances called triglycerides in your blood and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it is the cholesterol that clogs your coronary arteries. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps to protect against heart disease. Too much cholesterol in your blood builds up in the walls of the coronary arteries causing plaques to form. This leads to a narrowing of the coronary arteries, just like hard water furs up a water pipe. Heart attacks can then happen when a blood clot forms in a narrowed coronary artery.
Do not take these tablets if you:
- know you have liver disease or you have been told you have abnormal liver function blood tests;
- drink more than 4 units of alcohol a day for men and 3 units of alcohol a day for women (one unit is ½ pint of lager, a pub measure of wine or one short);
- have had an allergic reaction to this or similar medicines or to any of the ingredients in the past;
- are already taking prescription drugs to lower your cholesterol;
- could become pregnant, are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breast feeding;
- discover you are pregnant while taking Zocor Heart-Pro. In this case you should stop taking these tablets immediately and contact your doctor;
- have had muscle problems in the past after taking a cholesterol lowering medicine;
- are taking one of the following medicines:
- oral antifungal medicines called itraconazole or ketoconazole.
- antibiotics called erythromycin, telithromycin or clarithromycin.
- medicines for HIV infections called protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir or saquinavir).
- the antidepressant nefazodone.
If you have an under active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), kidney problems, a family history of muscle disorders or are aged over 70, you should check with your doctor before taking this product.
This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Zocor Heart-Pro should not be used by children.
If you are in one of the groups below, you are at a higher risk of coronary heart disease. You should discuss your condition with your doctor since you are likely to need more than these tablets to reduce your risk.
- You already have angina or have had a heart attack.
- You have diabetes.
- You have had a stroke.
- You have disease of the arteries of your legs or neck.
- You have inherited (it runs in the family) very high blood cholesterol levels.
