Zocor
Zocor, the brand name for simvastatin, is a medication belonging to a class of drugs known as statins. It is primarily prescribed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Zocor works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which is essential for the production of cholesterol. By reducing cholesterol synthesis, Zocor helps to decrease the amount of LDL cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream and can also modestly increase HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol.
In addition to its cholesterol-lowering effects, Zocor is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events