| Among many drugs
that are produced today for the purpose of weight
reduction. Zocor is one. It is believed to be
a highly effective medication that usually begins
to show its effects with the passage of time.
Persisting with treatment of Zocor under a physician’s
advice is perhaps the best route to weight loss.
What is Zocor (simvastatin) and what is it’s
function?
Zocor (simvastatin) is a lipid-reducing chemical.
It can reduce the total amounts of cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein
B. Simultaneously, Zocor can increase the level
of HDL cholesterol in the body, which cuts down
the risks of a person having a heart attack, stroke,
and peripheral vascular disease.
It is artificially prepared from Aspergillus terreus.
Zocor being an inactive lactone, undergoes hydrolysis
after ingestion. This is because of its similarities
with b-hydroxyacid. It works as an inhibiting
agent to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A
(HMG-CoA) reductase. The enzyme slows down the
process of HMG-CoA to mevalonate; this process
is an inhibiting one to the biosynthesis of cholesterol
(Description, 2004).
Technical Description and Availability:
Zocor can be technically described as a butanoic
acid, 2,2-dimethyl-,1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)-ethyl]-1-naphthalenyl
ester, [1S-[1a,3a,7b,8b(2S*,4S*),-8ab]]. The formula
of Zocori (simvastatin) is C25H38O5, and has a molecular
weight of 418.57 (Description, 2004).
Physically, Zocor (simvastatin) is a white or off-white
non-hygroscopic, crystalline powdery substance.
It is almost insoluble in water, but is soluble
in chloroform, methanol and ethanol (Description,
2004). Aside from describing ZOCOR as a chemical
that acts on the cholesterol within the body, its
technical description of its tablet is also important.
Zocor Tablets are available in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg,
40 mg or 80 mg. This makes a doctor’s prescription
easier depending on the condition of each patient.
Zocor 10mg tablets are in an oval shape and are
peach in color with MSD 735 on it. These tablets
are available in blister packs, a plastic bottle
or a glass bottle.
Zocor 20mg tablets come in an oval shape and are
orange in color with MSD 740 on it. They come in
a blister pack, a plastic bottle or a glass bottle.
Zocor 40mg tablets are also oval but are red in
color with MSD 749 on it. They come in blister packs,
a plastic bottle or a glass bottle.
Zocor 80mg tablets are available in the form of
capsules and are red in color with 543 on one side
and 80 on the other. They come in a blister pack,
a plastic bottle or a glass bottle (Zocor Medicine
Guide, 2004).
Clearly, it can be seen that the availability offers
a variety for doctors and patients, and one will
not be mistaken with each measured pill as they
are different in appearance according to size, shape
and color.
In addition to the above chemicals that may be considered
as active ingredients, there are others that are
inactive but necessary for proper functioning of
Zocor: cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, iron oxides, lactose, magnesium
stearate, starch, talc, titanium dioxide and other
ingredients. Butylated hydroxyanisole is added as
a preservative.
|