Can my medications cause joint pain?    • Q: Can simvastatin,
lisinopril, or omeprazole cause joint pain?   • A: Simvastatin
(Zocor) belongs to a class of medications called HMG-CoA
reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as statins.
Statins are used to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood
by decreasing the production of cholesterol by the liver.
Statins block the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for
making cholesterol. Simvastatin works in the liver to prevent
the formation of cholesterol. Studies have demonstrated that
statins are effective in lowering bad cholesterol levels and
raising good cholesterol. However, in these studies, patients
have reported serious muscle disorders. If you are experiencing
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, fever, nausea, or
difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider. These
are serious side effects and your treatment with simvastatin
should be re-evaluated. Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) is an
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. L