Zocor users’ sleep quality suffers

A popular drug used to keep cholesterol in check might be interfering with a good night’s sleep.

A large study looking at sleep patterns of people who took the statin drug Zocor, or simvastatin, found they had significantly worse sleep quality compared with people who took Pravachol, or pravastatin, another cholesterol-lowering drug.

“The findings are significant because sleep problems can affect the quality of life and may have adverse health consequences, such as promoting weight gain and insulin resistance,” said Dr. Beatrice Golomb, of UC San Diego School of Medicine, in a statement.