Zocor (generic: simvastatin) is intended to lower both cholesterol levels, and particular types of fats that reside in the bloodstream known as triglycerides. Unfortunately, simvastatin may increase the risk of a patient developing kidney failure, muscle damage, myopathy and in severe cases rhabdomyolysis. Due to the severity of these Zocor side effects, patients may wish to hire a Zocor lawyer in an attempt to gain compensation for their pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Zocor, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
What’s the problem?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally approved of Zocor in December of 1991, where it was developed by Merck as a prescription medication intended to lower high cholesterol levels in patients. Simvastatin, Zocor’s active ingredient, is used in association with healthy lifestyle alteration to lower the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Zocor, along with Vytorin and Simcor, are among the most popular cholesterol medications on the market.
Simvastatin resides in a group of medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). As a statin, simvastatin works to reduce excessive cholesterol build up in arteries which may prevent future complications including myopathy.
Unfortunatey, patients who undergo a strict regimen of simvastatin may increase their risk of developing Zocor side effects like kidney failure, muscle damage and life-threatening myopathy. In more severe cases, myopathy may revert to a more devastating condition known as rhabdomyolysis, a fatal condition characterized by kidney failure. Due to the severity of these side effects, many patients have sought compensation for their pain and suffering by hiring a Zocor lawyer to fight for their rights.
Zocor Side Effects
Zocor side effects include the following:
- Muscle damage, pain, tenderness, or weakness
- Myopathy
- Kidney failure
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Dark red urine
- Lack of energy
- Fever
- Flushing
- Blisters
- Rash
- Difficulty breathing
- Joint pain
However debilitating or painful the aforementioned Zocor side effects seem, they may serve as a precursor to an even more serious condition. Recent evidence lends weight to the long-suspected link between Zocor and rhabdomyolysis. Due to the severity of these side effects, many patients wish to seek compensation for their pain and suffering by filing a Zocor lawsuit.
Zocor Rhabdomyolysis
Zocor side effects may be responsible for causing muscle injuries that result in a serious syndrome known as rhabdomyolysis. Accordingly, the breakdown of muscle fibers releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. Dead muscle tissue may cause a large amount of fluid to move from the blood into the muscle, reducing the fluid volume of the body and leading to shock and reduced blood flow to the kidneys. An event such as this can prove to be catastrophic to a kidney. Renal failure, or kidney failure as it is known, occurs when the kidney is unable to remove excess and harmful myoglobin compounds. As a result, the kidney fails to operate properly and poses a potentially fatal threat to the patient.
FDA Zocor Warning
The following FDA warning acknowledges the dangers of muscle injury associated with the use of Zocor:
The FDA issued a warning to patients and healthcare providers regarding the potential risks of muscle injury associated with Zocor (simvastatin) 80 mg tablets. Muscle injury, or myopathy as it is often called, is a common side effect with all statins. The Agency’s latest warning acknowledges the increased risk of developing a muscle injury, like rhabdomyolysis, for patients when they use higher doses of Zocor. Rhabdomyolysis is the most severe form of myopathy and may lead to catastrophic kidney damage, kidney failure, and in the worst cases, death.
Do I Have A Zocor Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Zocor lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Zocor, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.