Zokor Side Effects

Zocor is a prescription medication used to lower cholesterol levels. Despite its effectiveness, Zocor poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Significance

• According to clinical trials published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on RxList.com, the most common side effects of Zocor occur in 2.2 to 6.6 percent of users.

Types of Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of Zocor, in descending order of frequency, include bronchitis, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, gastritis or inflammation of your stomach lining, vertigo, eczema, muscle pain, urinary tract infections, edema or swelling, headaches, sinusitis and constipation.

Side Effects in Adolescents

• When used to treat adolescents ages 10 to 17, Zocor causes different types of side effects, according to the FDA. Side effects most common in adolescents include upper respiratory infections, headaches, abdominal pain and nausea.

Risks

• Zocor poses a risk for rhabdomyolysis, a condition that results in the breakdown of your muscle fibers into myglobin, which is harmful to your kidneys. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include red or brown urine, weakness, sever muscle aches or tenderness, muscle weakness, fatigue, joint pain, seizures and weight gain.

Warning

• Some patients develop fatal allergic reactions to Zocor, causing anaphylactic shock; extreme swelling of the extremities, face and throat; shortages of blood platelets or red blood cells; or the onset of a skin condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which causes the skin to die and peel off.