An important development in
Zocor muscle injury news occurred recently when rheumatologist Dr. William C.
Shiel Jr., the co-founder and chief editor of MedicineNet.com, wrote on the
site that although many types of medications can cause muscle aches, statin
drugs such as Zocor are “the most common culprits”.
Dr. Shiel goes on to urge
doctors to be aware of Zocor muscle injury, because if it is diagnosed early,
it can be treated before it progresses to a much more serious condition such as
rhabdomyolysis, in which muscle tissues breaks down and releases muscle protein
into the bloodstream, where it can go on to clog the structures of the kidney,
potentially causing kidney failure or death. Zocor muscle injury can also cause
cardiomyopathy, a condition affecting the heart, and it can also cause too much
of the enzyme CPK to be released into the bloodstream, resulting in renal
failure which may require dialysis.
Unknown Side Effects of Zocor
The warning label on Zocor
warns of Zocor side effects, particularly muscle injury. Yet despite this
warning, many doctors seem unaware of the risk. It's important for physicians
and patients to closely follow Zocor muscle injury news as well as news about
all other medications a patient may be taking, so as to be aware off any and
all potential side effects.
One problem is that the
symptoms of Zocor muscle injury can mimic those of another condition,
Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is a neurological condition that can cause
paralysis. Blood tests can help a doctor determine the exact cause of the
muscle weakness.
The good news is that Zocor
side effects such as muscle injury can disappear if the symptom is detected
early and the drug is discontinued. For example, Dr. Shiel writes that a
patient was referred to him by a cardiologist due to muscle pain and stiffness,
as well as an elevated enzyme, CPK, that indicated a wasting away of muscle.
Dr. Shiel soon realized that the cause of the muscle problems was Lipitor, a
statin drug that lowers cholesterol and is similar to Zocor, which the patient
had been taking for six months. He immediately took the patient off the drug.
All Zocor patients and their
doctors should be fully aware of Zocor side effects and Zocor muscle injury
news and discontinue use of the drug if Zocor side effects appear.
