Simvalimit

Drug name: Simvalimit

Active Ingredients:

• Simvastatin

Therapeutic actions: Simvalimit contains the active ingredient simvastatin, which belongs to the group of anti-cholesterol drugs called statins. Simvastatin works by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver cells.

Simvastatin lowers the production of LDL(bad) cholesterol by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. This enzyme is necessary for cholesterol production. When the amount of cholesterol is lowered in the liver cells, they begin taking up LDL(bad) cholesterol from the blood. The decreased cholesterol production and increased removal from the blood results in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Indications: Simvalimit is used in the complex treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and high cholesterol blood levels.
Simvalimit help to reduce the risk coronary death, heart attack, risk for undergoing cardiac procedures and risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Contraindications and cautions: You should not take Simvastatin if you experience the following conditions:

• Liver dysfunction
• Unexplained high results in liver function tests.
• Pregnancy.
• Diabetes
• Breastfeeding.
• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to statins

You should talk with your health care provider prior to taking Simvastatin :

• if you are over 70 years of age
• if you suffer from kidney disease.
• If you suffer from liver disease.
• if you drink too much alcoholic beverages
• if you have hypothyroidism.
• if you have hereditary muscle diseases
• if you have history of muscular side effects during previous treatment with a statin or fibrate medicine.
• if you have recently a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).

Warning!

• You should continue following a cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment with a simvastatin. Talk with your doctor.
• You must avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking simvastatin. Grapefruit juice can affect the metabolism of Simvalimit and could increase the amount of the medication in your blood, thus increasing the risk of side effects.
• You should tell your health care provider immediately if you experience any muscular symptoms such as , tenderness, cramps, pain or weakness while taking simvastatin.
• Simvastatin may very rarely be associated with a type of lung disease. That's why you should tell your health care provider if you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a non-productive cough and deterioration in your general health (eg weight loss, fever, fatigue) while taking Simvastatin.

Adverse effects: There are possible side-effects associated with this medicine that can affect individuals in different ways. If a side effect is stated here, that does not necessarily mean the fact that all people using Simvalimit will experience it or any other.

• Digestive System: Constipation, diarrhea, stomach disorders, gas, heartburn, stomach pain/cramps, anorexia, loss of appetite, nausea, inflammation of the pancreas, hepatitis, jaundice, fatty changes in the liver, and, rarely, cirrhosis, severe liver damage and failure, and liver cancer.
• Muscle, Skeletal: Muscle cramps, pain ,aches, and weakness; pain in joints; muscle breakdown.
• Nervous System: Dizziness, headache, insomnia, tingling, loss of memory, damage to nerves causing weakness and/or loss of sensation and/or abnormal sensations, fear, depression, tremor, loss of balance, psychic disturbances.
• Skin: Rash, itching, hair loss, dryness, nodules, discoloration.
• Eye/Senses: Blurred vision, altered taste sensation, progression of cataracts, eye muscle weakness

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with Simvalimit , please read the information provided with Simvalimit or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with Simvalimit. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. Simvastatin may interact with the following drugs:

• antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• cholestyramine (Questran), clarithromycin (Biaxin), clofibrate (Atromid-S), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), danazol;
• verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verela).
• cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan);
• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
• nefazodone (Serzone), and telithromycin (Ketek);
• digoxin (Lanoxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin);
• HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase);
• nefazodone (Serzone);

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE Simvalimit with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.