zocar -- what dosage are you taking?

[weho]

QUESTION 1: I'm curious to know what dosage most people are taking of zocar. If someone was taking 20 mg of Pravachol per day, and switches to Zocar, what dosage of Zocar would be ROUGHLY the same strength as the 20 mg of Pravachol? Also, do most people take Zocar with dinner, or just before bed?

QUESTION 2: I'm taking 1,000 mg of Slo-Niacin a day (500 mg 2X per day). Do others taking Zocar ALSO take Niacin at the same time? Is this a good or a bad idea?

Thanks!

[vipergg22]

Originally Posted by weho

QUESTION 1: I'm curious to know what dosage most people are taking of zocar. If someone was taking 20 mg of Pravachol per day, and switches to Zocar, what dosage of Zocar would be ROUGHLY the same strength as the 20 mg of Pravachol? Also, do most people take Zocar with dinner, or just before bed?

QUESTION 2: I'm taking 1,000 mg of Slo-Niacin a day (500 mg 2X per day). Do others taking Zocar ALSO take Niacin at the same time? Is this a good or a bad idea?

Thanks!

I would say taking both is not a good idea ,this is pretty rough on the liver and you are asking for the potentiel of bad side effects .

[JacquelineL]

From what I've read, I believe 20 mg of Pravachol is the equivalent of 10 mg Zocor. I started on 10 mg Zocor, went to 20 mg and then just recently to 40 mg. I have decided to cut the tablets in half and take 20 mg since I have gone on a low carb diet. After a couple months, my cholesterol ratio is about the same as it was on the higher dose. It is recommended that you take Zocor at bedtime.

[Gatormom]

I took 20 mg Zocor for a couple of years, then gradually lost some weight, and got Dr's permission to take less. Now taking 15 mg (a 10mg and a 5mg pill) and total cholesterol is 185, with a good ratio. I take it at bedtime ever since a pharmacist told me it would be more effective taken at night. I think being on hormone replacement therapy also helps my chol. numbers. I also do a lot of walking to help boost the HDL. For me, Zocor is a great medication, with no liver problems and no side effects.

[zip2play]

Ball Park estimate: I'd say 20 mg. Pravachol (pravastatin) = 10 mg. Zocor (simvastatin) = 5-8 mg Lipitor (atorvastatin) and I think even less Crestor.

I think statins and niacin together is just ASKING for trouble; I'd never consider it except to save my life.

All statins should be taken before bedtime when recycling of LDL through the liver is at it's peak.

My friend gets 80 mg. Zocor prescriptions and whacks them into 4 pieces with MUCH muttering but it saves a FORTUNE!