9992855 HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION These highlights do not include all the information needed to use ZOCOR safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for ZOCOR. ZOCOR (simvastatin) Tablets Initial U.S. Approval:1991 ----------------------- ---- RECENT MAJOR CHANGES ------------ ------------ --- Dosage and Administration Chinese Patients Taking Lipid-Modifying Doses ( ≥1 g/day Niacin) ofNiacin-Containing Products (2.5) 03/2010 Coadministration with Other Drugs (2.6) 03/2010 Warnings and Precautions Myopathy/R habdomyolysis (5.1) 03/2010 ----------------------- -----INDICATIONS AND USAGE ----------- ------------ ----- ZOCOR ® is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) indicated as an adjunctive therapy to diet to: • Reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing CHD deaths and reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and the need for revascularization procedures in patients at high risk ofcoronary events. (1.1) • Reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, Apo B, TG and increase HDL-C in patients with primary hyperlipidemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia. (1.2) • Reduce elevated TG in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and reduce TG and VLDL-C in patients with primary dysbeta- lipoproteinemia. (1.2)• Reduce total-C and LDL-C in adult patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. (1.2)• Reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, and Apo B in boys and postmenarchal girls, 10 to 17 years of age with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia after failing an adequate trial of diet therapy. (1.2, 1.3)Limitations of Use ZOCOR has not been studied in Fredrickson Types I and V dyslipidemias. (1.4) ----------------------- DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRA TION------------ ------------ • Dose range is 5-80 mg/day. (2.1) • Recommended usual starting dose is 20-40 mg once a day in the evening. (2.1) • Recommended starting dose for patients at high risk of CHD is 40 mg/day. (2.1) • Adolescents (10-17 years of age) with HeFH: starting dose is 10 mg/day; maximum recommended dose is 40 mg/day. (2.3) --------------------- DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGT HS ------------ --------- Tablets: 5 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 80 mg (3) ---------------------- ---------CONTRA INDICATIONS-------------------- ----------- • Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication. (4, 6.2) • Active liver disease, which may include unexplained persistent elevations in hepatic transaminase levels. (4, 5.2) • Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. (4, 8.1) • Nursing mothers. (4, 8.3) ------------ ------------WA RNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS-------- ------------ ---- • Skeletal muscle effects (e.g., myopathy and rhabdomyolysis): Risks increase with higher doses and concomitant use of certain CYP3A4 inhibitors, gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, danazol, amiodarone, verapamil, and diltiazem. Predisposing factors include advanced age (≥65), uncontrolled hypothyroidism, and renal impairment. (5.1, 8.5, 8.6) • Patients should be advised to report promptly any symptoms ofmyopathy. Simvastatin therapy should be discontinued immediately if myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. See Drug Interaction table. (5.1) • Liver enzyme abnormalities and monitoring: Persistent elevations in hepatic transaminase can occur. Monitor liver enzymes before and during treatment. Patients titrated to the 80-mg dose should receive more frequent liver function tests than patients on lower doses. (5.2) ------------ ------------ ------ ADVERSE REACTIONS--- ------------------------ ---- Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5.0%) are: upperrespiratory infection, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., at 1-877- 888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. ------------ ------------ -------DRUG INTERACTIONS---------------------------- --- Drug Interactions Associated with Increased Risk of Myopathy/Rhabdomy olysis (2.6, 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) Interacting Agents Prescribing Recommendations Itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, nefazodone Avoid simvastatin Gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, danazol Do not exceed 10 mg simvastatin daily Amiodarone, verapamil Do not exceed 20 mg simvastatin daily Diltiazem Do not exceed 40 mg simvastatin daily Grapefruit juice Avoid large quantities of grapefruit juice (>1 quart daily) • Coumarin anticoagulants: Concomitant use with ZOCOR prolongs INR. Achieve stable INR prior to starting ZOCOR. Monitor INR frequently until stable upon initiation or alteration of ZOCOR therapy. (7.7) ------------- ---------- USE IN SPECIFIC POPULA TIONS ------------- ---------- • Severe renal impairment: patients should be started at 5 mg/day and be closely monitored. (2.4, 8.6) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION. Revised: 05/2010 FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS* 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1.1 Reductions in Risk of CHD Mortality and CardiovascularEvents 1.2 Hyperlipidemia 1.3 Adolescent Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholester olemia (HeFH) 1.4 Limitations of Use 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATI ON 2.1 Recommended Dosing 2.2 Patients with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia 2.3 Adolescents (10-17 years of age) with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia 2.4 Patients with Renal Impairment 2.5 Chinese Patients Taking Lipid-Modifying Doses ( ≥1 g/day Niacin) of Niacin-Containing Products 2.6 Coadministration with Other Drugs 3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis 5.2 Liver Dysfunction
