Simvastatin

Generic name: Simvastatin

Drug class: Statins

Dosage forms: Tablet, Suspension

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 mg; 20 mg/5 mL; 40 mg/5 mL

Mechanism of action: Simvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or “statins”, which plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the body.

Drug usage cases: Simvastatin is used to lower blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Simvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Simvastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Drug contra indications: You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to simvastatin, or if:

you have active liver disease; or you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The following drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems if you take them together with simvastatin. These drugs should not be used while you are taking this medicine:

cyclosporine; danazol; gemfibrozil; nefazodone; an antibiotic – clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin; antifungal medication – itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole;

hepatitis C medications – boceprevir, telaprevir; or HIV/AIDS medication – atazanavir, cobicistat (Stribild, Tybost), darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir. Before you start taking simvastatin, tell your doctor if you are already using any of these other medicines:

lomitapide; or heart medication – amiodarone, amlodipine, diltiazem, dronedarone, ranolazine, verapamil. To make sure simvastatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

history of liver disease; history of kidney disease; diabetes; a thyroid disorder; or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily. Simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to simvastatin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Simvastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine. Also call your doctor at once if you have:

signs of a kidney problem – little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath; or muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back; trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing; or liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Warnings: In rare cases, simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine. Never take simvastatin in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. Taking too much of this medication may cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, if you are of Chinese descent, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Do not consume grapefruit products while taking this medication. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with simvastatin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines, hepatitis C medication, heart medication, or medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: This medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take simvastatin if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking this medicine. Simvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.