Simvastatin (Zocor), Mechanism of Action, Therapeutic Uses and Side effects

Simvastatin (Zocor) is effective in treating plasma LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.

Mechanism Of Action:

Simvastatin (Zocor) competitively inhibit HMG coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis. Reduce cholesterol synthesis results in a compensatory increase in uptake of plasma cholesterol mediated by an increase in the number of LDL receptors. therefore LDL level in plasma reduces.

Therapeutic Uses:

Simvastatin (Zocor) reduces cholesterol levels in familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemias.

Recent studies suggest that statins decrease osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and may reduce osteoporosis moreover statins also decrease the incidence of some cancers

Adverse effects:

Myositis, rhabdomyolysis, anxiety, irritability, hepatotoxicity, and elevation in aminotransferases.