Understanding the Link between Zocor, Heartburn Risks
Zocor is the commercial name for the medication simvastatin, which is used to help bring down high cholesterol levels in some patients. This drug treatment option is generally used in tandem with a revised diet that will also help reduce cholesterol levels and keep the heart and cardiovascular system healthy. However, like any medication that you take, this one does come with some side effects, and in the case of Zocor, heartburn is one of the side effects that you will need to be concerned about.
Zocor is a member of a family of medications that are known as 3-hydroxy-3 methylgluteryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, also known as HMG-CoA’s. This mouthful of words refers to medications that work by blocking one of the enzymes in the body that is necessary for the production of cholesterol. The result is lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and heart disease in many people. Currently, this medication is only available with your doctor’s prescription, which means that your doctor will be monitoring any side effects that you experience with Zocor, like heartburn.
Avoiding Zocor and Heartburn Symptoms
Some patients with high cholesterol are able to avoid taking a medication like Zocor by adjusting their diet to one that is low in sugars, fats and cholesterol. Since many of these foods can be heartburn culprits, a diet that is good for your heart may also prevent heartburn without Zocor or other cholesterol lowering medicines. However, dietary changes are not sufficient for every patient, and if your cholesterol does not come down with diet alone, a medication like Zocor may indeed be prescribed. Bear in mind that medicine for cholesterol does not ever take the place of a healthy diet and daily exercise, but should be used in combination with these practices for maximum benefit.
If you find that Zocor and heartburn seem to coincide for you, there are things that you can do to treat your heartburn aside from stopping this important medication. But before you try to treat your heartburn on your own, you should talk to your doctor about which remedies will work the best. While you may experience heartburn with Zocor, many of the heartburn medications may interact with this particular medicine. Your doctor can advise you on the best ways to treat your heartburn in this situation.
While it might be important to lower your cholesterol using a medication like Zocor, heartburn and other side effects from this medication will need to be addressed and treated as well. Keep in mind that heartburn from Zocor is definitely the lesser of two evils, since heartburn is rarely a serious condition, and high cholesterol can be damaging to your health in the form of heart attack and heart disease risk. Treat the heartburn and lower your cholesterol for maximum health benefit.