Zocor insomnia connection

QUESTION: What is the zocor insomnia connection about? Can one taking Zocor for almost 3 years experience insomnia and how to deal?


ANSWER: Hi,

Zocor (Simvastatin) is a drug used for lowering your cholesterol. The effect of this drug is realized by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (Hydroxy Methyl Glutaryl- Coenzyme A), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol.

By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, Zocor is reducing the synthesis of endogen cholesterol and fat acids.

This HMG-CoA reductase can be situated in the brain and in the tissues. Zocor can pass through the barrier that protects the brain from different molecules i.e. the hemato-encephal barrier (HEB).

As a consequence, this drug is capable to inhibit this enzyme in the brain. This is exactly how Zocor is causing insomnia.

For your information, there exist certain molecules which are affecting the center of the sleep. However it is still unknown how insomnia is related to Zocor usage as insomnia is a very rare side effect of this drug (i.e. one patient of every 10000 does experience it).

In addition, so far, no study has been carried out to understand the molecule substrate of the insomnia caused by Zocor.

When the patient reports insomnia related to Zocor use, the doctors prefer to change this drug with others that are not passing (HEB), avoiding insomnia and, at the same time, they are reducing the cholesterol in your organism.

Some of the statins are not passing HEB because their molecule is too big. For that reason, it is important for you to inform your doctor about this side effect.

In this case, he will make the decision to change the drug with something else or provide you other drug to make you sleep well. It all depends on your case.

All the best!

Dr.Alba