Parilman & Associates – Zocor Side Effects Lawyers Helping Injured Patients
People who suffer from dangerously high levels of cholesterol face serious medical risks if that condition persists. As a result, those in this position often need the help of medication in order to bring their cholesterol levels down to a manageable and relatively safe level. One of the most popular medications that’s been used in recent years to help with this issue is known as Zocor, which produced positive results for patients after it hit the market.
Unfortunately, reports of serious Zocor side effects eventually began to surface, and many of these alleged side effects were extremely serious in nature. If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using Zocor to lower your cholesterol, you need to seek the help of experienced Zocor side effects lawyers as soon as possible. Below is a brief overview of this troubling health and legal issue.
Zocor – A Brief Description
Zocor is a cholesterol medication that is administered in pill form and that’s available via prescription. It is manufactured by Merck, and it is generally given to a patient in conjunction with a program of exercise and a managed diet, all of which combine to bring cholesterol levels down to safer levels. Zocor is a member of a class of drugs known as statins, and these medications generally work by lowering the amount of triglycerides in the system and thereby reducing the level of LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, that exists.
Zocor Side Effects
Unfortunately, reports of serious Zocor side effects eventually began to surface that initially appear to be consistent with the side effects that have been associated with other statins. Specifically, examples of commonly reported Zocor side effects included:
- Rhabdomyolysis – Rhabdomyolysis is an otherwise rare muscle condition whereby the tissues of a muscle begin to die off quickly. The substance that’s left behind when muscle tissue dies is known as myoglobin, and when large amounts of this substance travel through the circulatory system, it tends to settle in the kidneys where it often cannot be expelled from a person’s body.
- Kidney damage – Kidney damage is almost always what results from large deposits of myoglobin being stuck in these organs, as its presence can harm the ability of the kidneys to function in general.
- Kidney failure – Over time, when kidneys cannot function properly, the risk of total kidney failure rises precipitously. When kidneys fail, patients will need a transplant after a period of dialysis.
How Zocor Side Effects Lawyers Can Help
The FDA has taken action with regards to Zocor and to statins in general on more than one occasion. Specifically, the agency published a public health warning regarding these medications and the risks of side effects in 2010, and in 2011 the agency took the next step of requiring a warning label to be attached to all containers of Zocor and other medications so that consumers would be aware of the risks.
If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using Zocor, you need to seek the help of experienced Zocor side effects lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of injured consumers for many years. Contact Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.
