Simvastatin
Description
Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medicine. It is used in the treatment of Hyperlipidaemia (high levels of blood cholesterol and fats). It is also used to reduce the risk of heart-related complications in people with heart disease, diabetes, or other risk factors. This medicine works by reducing the level of bad cholesterol and fats and increasing the level of good cholesterol in the blood.
Simvastatin shows side effects like runny nose, sneezing, diarrhoea, headache, and muscle pain. These side effects subside on their own as your body starts adapting to this medicine. However, consult your doctor if these side effects persist or become worse.
Simvastatin can be taken with or without food. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine at the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Simvastatin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Avoid taking this medicine if you have pre-existing liver conditions. Inform your doctor about all your current medications to avoid any undesired effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Simvastatin
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Dark colored urine
- Muscle or joint pain
- Sweating
- Headache
- Acid or sour stomach
- Excessive air or gas in stomach
- Heartburn
- Skin rash
Uses of Simvastatin
What is it prescribed for?
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken for Simvastatin to show its effect is not known.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which Simvastatin remains active in your body is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Simvastatin, as it can increase the risk of liver damage.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Simvastatin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Simvastatin is highly unsafe during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Simvastatin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Simvastatin if you are allergic to it. A serious allergic reaction to this medicine is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Severe liver disease
Simvastatin is broken down in the liver. Hence, Simvastatin is not recommended for use if you have an active liver problem, as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in the liver and increase the risk of liver damage. Thus, it may further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Simvastatin is highly unsafe during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Simvastatin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Cognitive impairment
Cognitive impairment is a condition in which you experience a decline in mental abilities such as memory and thinking skills. Simvastatin may cause memory loss, forgetfulness, confusion, etc. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have cognitive impairment.
Increases blood sugar levels
Simvastatin may increase blood sugar levels. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while you are taking this medicine.
Use in children
Simvastatin is not recommended for use in children less than 10 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Simvastatin. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Simvastatin.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Simvastatin, as it can increase the risk of liver damage.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Ciprofloxacin
Cyclosporine
Colchicine
Disease interactions
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition that causes the breakdown of muscle tissues. The damaged muscle fibres enter the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure. Simvastatin should be used with caution if you have rhabdomyolysis as it may further worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms like muscle pain, weakness, fever, dark/reddish urine, etc. Your doctor may suggest tests to periodically monitor the creatine phosphokinase levels (high levels of this enzyme indicate muscle injury) during treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment with Simvastatin, as it can increase the blood levels of this medicine and increase the risk of undesired effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Simvastatin may be taken with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet in your mouth. Swallow as a whole with a sufficient amount of water.
Avoid taking more or less than the recommended dose
Do not discontinue Simvastatin without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Simvastatin may increase your risk of muscle damage. Hence, consult your doctor if you experience unusual muscle pain or tenderness, particularly if accompanied by fever.
Eat a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly to get maximum benefits from the treatment.
Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase your risk of liver damage.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Simvastatin works by blocking the action of an enzyme responsible for the production of cholesterol in your body and effectively reduces blood cholesterol levels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Statins
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Simvastatin 10mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 February 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Simvastatin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 7 February 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - SIMVASTATIN- simvastatin tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 February 2022].
Rad-ar.or.jp. 2022. Search results detail| Kusurino-Shiori(Drug information Sheet). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 17 Feb 2022
Disclaimer
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