POZ Community Forums

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: J.R.E. on January 03, 2007, 08:15:35 am

Title: Question for Gerry...
Post by: J.R.E. on January 03, 2007, 08:15:35 am

Hello Gerry,

I have been on again/ off again, with Zocor for quite a while. Because of the increase to a 50.00/ month price tag, I switched to Generic Simvastatin 20mgs. ( at 7.00 /month)

Is this bassically the same stuff as the Zocor ? I imagine this should be alright to take with my Viramune, Viread and Epzicom. Any advice...


Thanks ----Ray

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: gerry on January 03, 2007, 10:43:19 am

Hi Ray,

Yes, the generic simvastatin is the same as Zocor.  In addition to Zocor, Pravachol, another statin, went generic this year as well (the generic name is pravastatin).  I imagine that most insurance carriers would use generic simvastatin as their preferred statin.

This is ok with your regimen but not for those who are taking certain PIs.  In the latter situation, generic pravastatin would be a reasonable alternative (though not as potent).

Gerry

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: Tucsonwoody on January 03, 2007, 10:56:16 am

FYI -

If you have a Sam's Club, Walmart or Target in your area - they carry these  a couple of these new generics on their $4.00 medication list for a 30 day supply.  Sometimes that price is even better then the co-pay.

Full list of medications available here:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=546834&fromPageCatId=5431

Also - for some reason, my brothers doctor wouldn't let him switch from Lipitor to one of the generics because he said different medications, while improving the amount of cholesterol do it in different ways - some raise good levels, others lower bad levels and some lower overall levels.

Kevin

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: J.R.E. on January 03, 2007, 07:13:30 pm

Gerry,

Thanks for the info. I knew there was a discussion on the old forums about this, but I couldn't find it.

kevin thanks for that info . I do go to Sams, once a month, but right now I like to keep everything all together at Walgreens. And the Simvastatin, is currently the only drug the I am receiving that is generic. Perhaps somewhere down the road, Where more generics are added ( or can be added) that could be an option, to save some dollars.



Ray

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: Jody on January 03, 2007, 09:55:21 pm

Hi Ray...I believe my doctor once mentioned that Zocor should not be taken with Viramune, that Lipitor would be better...My cholesterol has gone down a bit so I have never taken a medication for it but just some food for thought.

Jody

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: J.R.E. on January 04, 2007, 08:19:23 am

Hello Jody,

Thanks for that !! And the thing is, my doctor feels that Zocor is not a problem, as long as liver function tests are within range. My next appointment is on January 11, so perhaps it's time to go over things again. I know that Zocor, should not be taken with Rescriptor ---The other non-nuke). I will be very curious as to the cholesterol levels on my next blood test.


Thanks Jody-------Ray

Title: Re: Question for Gerry...
Post by: J.R.E. on January 04, 2007, 08:22:17 am

Peter,

By the way, If you happen to see this.... Zocor comes up as being mispelled on the spellcheck.


Ray