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What Could Cause Loose Stool, Stomach Pain, Nausea And Weakness After Shifting From Zocor To Lipitor?

Posted on Thu, 16 Dec 2021

Question: I started taking Lipitor (the generic of this) about three days ago... previously I had been taking the generic of Zocor. (both were 40 mg tablets once per day) I'd been on Zocor , or a generic version of it, for about 20 years... I'm now 85 years old. I also maybe screwed up and drank a glass of wine last night, if that changes anything. Last night I had not real loose stools, but unusually large number last night... stomach area also has been hurting and have felt mildly nauseous... and generally weaker and much more rotten feeling overall... didn't sleep well last night... this morning felt better initially but now feel rotten with some slight stomach pains and slight nauseous... Should I take more Lipitor tonight or go back to my simvastatin (Zocor) that has given me no problems in past and muscle tests have always been normal????

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Zocor or lipitor

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Zocor (simvastatin) both are advised to be taken at night as statins can have significant interaction with a number of medication , alcohol and even food products e.g grape fruit juice.

The gastrointestinal side effects could possibly be related to zocor. You may take Lipitor for now to see if the symptoms improve. If they do improve then one can attribute it more confidently to simvastatin. Simvastatin can then be replaced by Lipitor or rosuvastatin if indicated.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any queries

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy