Simvastatin

Drug name: Simvastatin

Active Ingredients:

• simvastatin

Therapeutic actions: Simvastatin is a type of called a statin. It works by decreasing the production of by the liver.

Simvastatin decreases the production of LDL(bad) by blocking the action of the enzyme in the liver (called HMG-CoA reductase) . This enzyme is responsible for cholesterol production. This reduces the amount of cholesterol in the liver cells, which causes them to take up LDL(bad) cholesterol from the blood. The decreased cholesterol production and increased removal of LDL(bad) cholesterol from the blood results in lowered blood cholesterol levels.

Indications: Simvastatin tablets are used:

• to treat coronary (CHD) and high cholesterol
• to reduce the risk of death by reducing coronary death;
• to reduce the risk of heart attack;
• to reduce the risk for undergoing cardiac procedures
• to reduce the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Contraindications and cautions:You should not use Simvastatin in:

• Liver disease.
• Diabetes
• Unexplained high results in liver function tests.
• Pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding.

You should talk with your health care provider before taking Simvastatin tablets if:

• if you are over 70 years.
• you have kidney disease.
• you have liver disease.
• if you drink alcohol.
• if you have hypothyroidism.
• if you have hereditary muscle disorders.
• 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 simvastatin and could increase the amount of the medicine in your blood, thus increasing the risk of side effects.
• You should tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscular such as , tenderness, cramps, pain or weakness while taking simvastatin.
• This may very rarely be associated with a type of lung disease. That's why you should tell your healthcare 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.

Simvastatin side 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 simvastatin will experience it or any other.

• Digestive System: Constipation, diarrhea, stomach disorders, gas, heartburn, stomach pain/cramps, anorexia, loss of appetite, nausea, 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 simvastatin, please read the information provided with this medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

• antifungal 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);
• protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase);
• nefazodone (Serzone);

Your health care provider may need to change the doses of your or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE Simvastatin 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.