Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nationwide
Zocor is one of a class of drugs referred to as statins, which are used to reduce so-called “bad” cholesterol levels. Although Zocor was found to be effective at lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol when used in conjunction with exercise and a balanced diet, the drug also leads to an increased risk of severe muscle damage in those taking higher doses.
The Philadelphia product liability attorneys at Golomb & Honik are advocates for victims of dangerous drugs, and we are currently investigating claims from Zocor users in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and across the country who may have suffered the muscle disease myopathy, including an especially dangerous form known as rhabdomyolysis.
Dangers of Zocor
Zocor, also known by the generic name simvastatin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991 and quickly became a popular option for lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially in patients considered at high risk for heart and blood-vessel problems.
In 2002, the FDA issued its first warning about the potential link between rhabdomyolysis in patients taking more than 20 milligrams of simvastatin per day. Rhabdoymyolysis is the erosion of muscle fibers that results in the muscle fiber protein called myoglobin seeping into the bloodstream; the release of myoglobin can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure.
Despite increasing research indicating the risks of simvastatin, more than 2 million Americans were prescribed Zocor and other drugs containing daily doses of 80 mg of simvastatin in 2010. Other drugs containing simvastatin include Vytorin and Simcor, both of which combine simvastatin with other compounds.
Patients taking the 80 mg dose of Zocor were found to be at an increased risk for myopathy, rhabdomyolysis and resulting kidney damage, especially in their first year of treatment.
Symptoms of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis
In 2011, the FDA required Zocor manufacturer Merck to add new safety information on product labeling regarding the increased risk for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The FDA also recommended that Zocor and simvastatin no longer be prescribed in 80 mg doses in new patients.
Millions of patients, of course, have been using Zocor prior to the new guidelines and may still suffer the onset of associated degenerative muscle disorders. Symptoms of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis include:
- Muscle pain or tenderness
- Muscle tension or stiffness
- Sense of weakness
- Chronic exhaustion
- Dark or red-colored urine
If you were prescribed Zocor and suffer from the symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, please contact the Philadelphia dangerous drug attorneys at Golomb & Honik. We welcome prospective clients from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and nationwide.
