Life-threatening Muscle Condition Rhabdomyolysis Linked to Zocor, Vytorin 10/80

Last Updated on June 26, 2017

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At A Glance

This Alert Affects
Patients who took Zocor (80mg), the generic simvastatin (80mg) or Vytorin 10/80 and developed rhabdomyolysis.
Damages
Zocor (80mg), Vytorin 10/80 and the generic simvastatin (80mg) can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious form of muscle injury which releases muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney damage, kidney failure and death.
Company(ies)
Merck
Additional Details
Zocor is a cholesterol-lowering drug that works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body.
Date
On March 19, 2010, the FDA released a warning to highlight the risk of rhabdomyolysis, a severe form of muscle damage, in patients taking the highest approved dose of Zocor (80mg).

The FDA has announced that the highest available dose of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor can put users at risk for rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening form of muscle damage. The FDA reports that patients taking 80mg doses of the drug have a risk of developing rhabdomyolysis that is 50 times greater than those taking the 20mg dose. The FDA has also warned that patients taking Vytorin 10/80, a combination drug containing Zocor, are also at risk for this side effect.

New FDA Warning

Although Zocor has been known to cause muscle injury, the new FDA warning highlights the risk of rhabdomyolysis, a severe form of muscle damage. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle which results in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney damage, kidney failure and death.

Common symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include:

  • Muscle aches and pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Muscle tenderness
  • Darkening of urine

Additional symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can include joint pain, fatigue, unintentional weight gain and seizures.

Filing a Lawsuit

Manufactured by Merck, Zocor (generic: simvastatin) is a prescription medication that blocks the production of cholesterol in the body. If you or a loved one has developed rhabdomyolysis as a side effect of Zocor, Vytorin 10/80 or Simvastatin, you may be eligible to pursue a Zocor lawsuit.

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