Simvastatin
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Molecule Summary
| Uses | High Cholesterol |
| Therapy | Hypolipidemic Drugs |
| Side Effects | Nausea, Vomiting, Weakness, Muscle Pain |
Assurance
available
Regulated
Molecule Description
Simvastatin belongs to a group of medicines referred to as Statins. It reduces levels of bad cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood while increasing the level of good cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein or HDL).
Uses
This medicine is used along with a proper diet to help lower bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL and triglycerides) and raise good cholesterol in the blood.
Contraindications
When should one not use Simvastatin
- Allergic to the medicine
- Metabolic syndrome (blood abnormalities associated with the development of heart diseases)
- Muscle problems
- Stroke caused by bleeding in the brain
- Liver problems
- Severe renal impairment
- High blood sugar
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Chronic alcoholics
- Hypersensitivity to the drug
- Antifungal medicines like Itraconazole, Ketoconazole and Posaconazole
- Antiretroviral therapy
- Antibiotics like Erythromycin, Clarithromycin or Telithromycin
- Antidepressants like Nefazodone
- Cholesterol-lowering medicine like Gemfibrozil
- Drugs related to Ciclosporin
Side effects
Common side effects of this drug are:
Side effects of this medicine are rarely reported, and they may include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, signs of kidney problems, liver problems, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
Breast Feeding
Driving
Alcohol
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- Tell your doctor before taking Simvastatin if you have had an allergic reaction to Simvastatin or any other medicines in the past, have liver or kidney problems, have severe lung disease, have an underactive thyroid or have had a muscle disorder (including fibromyalgia).
Mode of Action
How Does It Work?
This medicine acts by competitively inhibiting a chemical (HMG-CoA reductase), the first and most crucial limiting enzyme of the cholesterol pathway.
Interactions
Interactions with other medicines
- Some medicines don't mix well with Simvastatin, including:
- Some antibiotics and antifungals
- Some HIV medicines
- Some Hepatitis C medicines
- Warfarin (stops blood clotting)
- Cyclosporin (treats psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Danazol (treats endometriosis)
- Nefazodone (treats depression)
- Amiodarone (makes your heart stable)
- Verapamil, Diltiazem, Amlodipine (for high blood pressure and heart problems)
Interactions with food items
Grapefruit juice can interfere with how your body handles Simvastatin. You should not drink grapefruit juice if you are taking Simvastatin.
Dosage
Overdose
Simvastatin overdose symptoms are not reported. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have had an overdose of Simvastatin.
Missed a Dose
Take medicine as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to compensate for the missed dose.
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