SIMVASTATIN

Simvastatin is a drug that is used to treat high blood cholesterol levels. It is an antilipemic agent that is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the early and rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. It decreases total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol levels.

Uses

Simvastatin is used in the treatment of dyslipidemia (high cholesterol levels) and to prevent atherosclerosis-related complications like stroke and heart attacks in people who are at high risk.

Warnings

Simvastatin should not be given to people with the following medical conditions:

Acute liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases
Patients of Chinese descent should not take simvastatin 80 mg/day with lipid-modifying dose of niacin-containing products (≥1 g)
Simvastatin 80 mg should not be started in new patients and to those taking lower doses
Concurrent use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (example nelfinavir), boceprevir, telaprevir, gemfibrozil, ciclosporin, danazol and grapefruit juice.
Pregnancy
Lactation

Side Effects

Simvastatin may have side effects such as the following:

Headache
Nausea
Flatulence
Heartburn
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea/constipation
Dyspepsia
Skin rash
Reversible serum aminotransferase concentration elevation
Thrombocytopenia
Alopecia
Dose-related rhabdomyolysis and myopathy (example myalgia, muscle weakness and dark urine)
Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Myasthenia gravis
Impairment of cognitive function
Lens opacities
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Sexual dysfunction
Insomnia
Severe rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney failure
Hepatitis
Pancreatitis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
Anaphylaxis
Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Precautions

Precautions

Special precautions should be observed by people with the following conditions:

History of liver disease
Patients with history of hereditary muscular disorder
Alcoholism
Kidney impairment
Elderly
Children less than 10 years

Interactions

Simvastatin may interact with the following medicines:

Anticoagulants
Bosentan
Efavirenz
Rifampicin
Colchicine
Amiodarone
Verapamil
Diltiazem
Amlodipine
Fusidic acid
Rituximab
Ezetimibe
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Posaconazole
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Telithromycin
Nefazodone
Niacin
HIV protease inhibitors (example nelfinavir)
Boceprivir
Telaprevir
Gemfibrozil
Ciclosporin
Danazol
Rhabdomyolysis
Acute renal failure

Overdose & Brands

If you think you may have used Simvastatin more than the usual dose, seek medical help immediately.

Available Brands:

Actimed, Azterol, Cardiosim, Cholestad, Cholestrol, Dincor, Endovaz, Lipitin-S, Pharex, Ravenar, Afordel Altovast, Astin, Cholestol, Ecosta, Euvasten, Forcad, Ivast, Lipitin-S, Lipix