- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Simvastatin...Zocor
**Please read this information carefully** If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
GENERIC NAME(S): SIMVASTATIN
Uses
Simvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.
How to use simvastatin
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the evening.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Chinese patients taking niacin may require lower doses of simvastatin. Ask your doctor for more details.
The usual maximum dose for this medication is 40 milligrams a day. If you have been instructed by your doctor to take more than 40 milligrams, continue on that same dose. However, promptly talk with him or her about the risks and benefits of your higher dose.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.
It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.
Side Effects
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A very small number of people taking simvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor.
This drug may infrequently cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms persist after your doctor stops this drug: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), change in the amount of urine.
This medication may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately: yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Side Effects List
simvastatin side effects by likelihood and severity.
The following side effects are associated with simvastatin:
Common side effects of simvastatin: ·
Muscle Problems related to SLCO1B1 Gene Variant Severe
· Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus Less Severe
· Diarrhea Less Severe
· Dizzy Less Severe
· Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
· Gas Less Severe
· Head Pain Less Severe
· Heartburn Less Severe
· Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
· Infection Less Severe
· Rash Less Severe
· Reaction due to an Allergy Less Severe
· Stomach Cramps Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of simvastatin:
· Atrial Fibrillation Severe
· Muscle Pain Severe
· Backache Less Severe
· Burning Stomach Less Severe
· Eczema Less Severe
· Flu-Like Symptoms Less Severe
· Heart Throbbing or Pounding Less Severe
· Low Energy Less Severe
· Sinus Irritation and Congestion Less Severe
Rare side effects of simvastatin:
· Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
· Arthritis Severe
· Bronchitis Severe
· Cataracts Severe
· Chest Pain Severe
· Decreased Blood Platelets Severe
· Decreased White Blood Cells Severe
· Erythema Multiforme Severe
· Giant Hives Severe
· Hepatitis Severe
· Hives Severe
· Inflammation of the Skin and Muscle Severe
· Large Purple or Brown Skin Blotches Severe
· Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe
· Liver Failure Severe
· Lung Tissue Problems Severe
· Lupus-Like Syndrome Severe
· Muscle Damage Due to Auotimmunity Severe
· Muscle Inflammation Severe
· Muscle Problems Severe
· Pancreatitis Severe
· Paralysis of Some or All of the Muscles of the Eye Severe
· Serious Muscle Damage that may Lead to Kidney Failure Severe
· Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Severe
· Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Severe
· Trouble Breathing Severe
· Urinary Tract Infection Severe
· Vasculitis Severe
· Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Bile Flow Problems Severe
· Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems Severe
· Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe
· Anxious Less Severe
· Blurred Vision Less Severe
· Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
· Confused Less Severe
· Cough Less Severe
· Cramps Less Severe
· Depression Less Severe
· Dry Mouth Less Severe
· Dry Skin Less Severe
· Enlarged Breasts Less Severe
· Feeling Weak Less Severe
· Fever Less Severe
· Hair Loss Less Severe
· High Blood Sugar Less Severe
· Inability to have an Erection Less Severe
· Indigestion Less Severe
· Inflammation of the Nose Less Severe
· Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
· Itching Less Severe
· Joint Pain Less Severe
· Loss of Appetite Less Severe
· Loss of Memory Less Severe
· Numbness and Tingling Less Severe
· Numbness, Tingling or Pain of Hands or Feet Less Severe
· Skin Discoloration Less Severe
· Skin Nodules Less Severe
· Sun-Sensitive Skin Less Severe
· Taste Problems Less Severe
· Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe
· Throwing Up Less Severe
· Visible Water Retention Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with simvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Simvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), cyclosporine,danazol, gemfibrozil.
Other medications can affect the removal of simvastatin from your body, which may affect how simvastatin works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), boceprevir, colchicine, delavirdine, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir), a certain combination HIV medication (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir), telaprevir, telithromycin, among others.
Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking simvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking simvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Storage temperature ranges differ according to different manufacturers, so consult your pharmacist for more information. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised March 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.