Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

For which condition is Zocor commonly prescribed?

1. Hypertension

2. Hyperlipidemia

3. Diabetes

4. Asthma

The correct answer is: Hyperlipidemia

Zocor, which is the brand name for simvastatin, is commonly prescribed for hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, particularly cholesterol. The primary goal of using Zocor is to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This medication works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver, thereby reducing overall cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. In contrast, other conditions listed, such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, are managed by different classes of medications. Hypertension is typically treated with antihypertensives, diabetes with insulin or oral hypoglycemics, and asthma with bronchodilators or corticosteroids, none of which directly involve cholesterol management. Thus, Zocor’s specific action and indication make it suitable for addressing hyperlipidemia effectively.