What is Simvastatin?
Simvastatin is a member of a class of drugs known as HMG coa Reductase Inhibitors, or "statins". Simvastatin can be used to reduce blood levels of "bad cholesterol, increase "good" HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides.
Simvastatin can also be used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications for people with diabetes or coronary heart disease. Simvastatin can be used by adults and children over 10 years of age.
Warnings
In rare cases, simvastatin may cause kidney failure due to a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. Symptoms of muscle tenderness or pain could include weakness, fever, unusual fatigue or dark urine; contact your physician as soon as possible if these occur.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration of simvastatin prescribed by your doctor. Be sure to follow all instructions from your physician regarding medication dosage strictly. When taken in excess, this medication can cause life-threatening or serious side effects.
Tell your doctor before taking this medication if any of the following conditions exist: liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes or thyroid disorders, Chinese descent, or more than two alcoholic drinks per day. Simvastatin may harm a baby in utero or cause birth defects. Avoid using it if you're pregnant or plan to get pregnant. Simvastatin can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, causing potentially harmful effects. Avoid grapefruit juice and other grapefruit products when taking this medication.
Simvastatin can have unwanted or harmful effects. If you are taking certain antifungal or antibiotic medicines, hepatitis C medications, heart medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines, your doctor may have to alter your treatment plan. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medication immediately and inform your doctor.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be taken if you have an allergy to simvastatin or if
- You have active liver disease.
- You are pregnant or nursing.
If you combine simvastatin with the following drugs, your risk of serious muscle problems can increase. You should not take these drugs while taking simvastatin.
- Cyclosporine;
- Danazol;
- Gemfibrozil;
- Nefazodone;
- An antibiotic: clarithromycin (erythromycin), telithromycin (erythromycin),
- Antifungal medication: itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole;
- Hepatitis C medications: boceprevir and telaprevir
- HIV/AIDS medication: atazanavir, cobicistat (Stribild, Tybost), darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.
Tell your doctor before you begin taking simvastatin if you have been prescribed any of the following medicines:
- Lomitapide
- Heart medication: amiodarone, amlodipine, diltiazem, dronedarone, ranolazine, and verapamil.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that simvastatin will be safe for you:
- History of liver disease
- History of kidney disease
- Diabetes;
- A thyroid disorder,
- If you consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day,
Simvastatin may cause kidney failure by causing a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue is broken down. This condition is more common in older adults, people with kidney disease, and those who are hypothyroid (underactive thyroid).
This medication can cause birth defects or harm to an unborn child. Avoid taking simvastatin while pregnant. If you get pregnant, stop taking the medication immediately and inform your doctor. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy. Simvastatin can pass into breast milk and harm nursing babies. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
How to take Simvastatin?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Do not take more medicine or longer than recommended. This medication can have serious and life-threatening effects if taken in excess. Simvastatin can be taken with a meal or at night before bed. Take simvastatin with food if you are taking it more than once a day. If you are not getting the desired results, your doctor may change your dosage.
You may be required to have frequent blood tests in your doctor's clinic while taking simvastatin. For the treatment of high blood cholesterol, you may have to take simvastatin for a long time. If you are having surgery or have a medical crisis, it may be necessary to temporarily stop taking this medication. Do not stop taking this medication unless you are told to by your doctor.
Simvastatin forms part of an overall treatment programme that includes exercise, diet, and weight management. Your diet, medications and exercise should all be closely monitored. Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you realize, take the missed dose right away; if your next scheduled dosage is approaching quickly, skip it altogether. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Simvastatin can interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, causing unwanted side effects. Use grapefruit products sparingly while taking simvastatin.
Avoid foods high in cholesterol or fat. Simvastatin is not as effective at lowering cholesterol if you don't follow a diet that lowers cholesterol. Avoid alcohol.Alcohol may increase triglyceride and liver damage risks.
Side effects of Simvastatin
If you experience symptoms of an allergic response to simvastatin, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction, including a fever, sore throat, burning eyes, or a skin rash that is red, purple, blistered, and peeling, seek emergency medical attention.
Simvastatin may cause muscle breakdown, leading to kidney failure.If you experience unexplained weakness, muscle tenderness, or pain without apparent cause, contact your doctor immediately - especially if there is fever, unusual fatigue, or dark urine present.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Signs of Kidney Problems: little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling of your ankles or feet; feeling tired or breathless;
- You may experience muscle weakness in the hips, shoulders, and neck.
- Having difficulty standing, climbing, or lifting your arms;
- Liver problems: nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching and fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, and jaundice.
Side effects of simvastatin include:
- Headache;
- Constipation, nausea, stomach pain,
- Cold symptoms include a stuffy nose, sneezing, and a sore throat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Simvastatin can interact with many drugs. This list does not include all possible interactions. Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or stopping any that you take during treatment.
- Delavirdine;
- Fenofibrate
The list of drugs that can interact with simvastatin is not exhaustive. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Provide a list to your healthcare provider.
