Ohio: FDA Warns Zocor Users about Risk of Muscle Injury

In March 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned patients and healthcare providers about the potential for an increased risk of muscle injury from the cholesterol-lowering medication Zocor. In this case, the specific warning was for the 80 mg dose.

It’s no secret that muscle injury also known as myopathy is a known side effect of all statin drugs, the March 2010 warning highlights a greater risk of developing muscle injury, including rhabdomyolysis, for patients when they are prescribed and use higher doses of the statin drug.

“Review of simvastatin is part of an ongoing FDA effort to evaluate the risk of statin-associated muscle injury and to provide that information to the public as it becomes available,” said Eric Colman, M.D., Deputy Director of FDA’s Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products (DMEP). “It’s important for patients and healthcare professionals to consider all the potential risks and known benefits of any drug before deciding on any one therapy or dose of therapy.”

Rhabdomyolysis (or rhabdo) is the most serious type of myopathy and can lead to severe kidney damage, kidney failure, and sometimes death. As with other statins, the risks of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is dose related.

Ohio residents take note: If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed by taking the 80 mg dose of Zocor, simvastatin, Vytorin, or Simcor and have suffered severe muscle injury or kidney damage, you may qualify for a Zocor injury lawsuit. Let the Ohio personal law firm of Clark Perdue determine if you are eligible and how we can help you.

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