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Simvastatin |
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What is Simvastatin and why is it prescribed? Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe Simvastatin in addition to a cholesterol-lowering diet if your blood cholesterol level is too high, and if you have been unable to lower it by diet alone. In people with high cholesterol and heart disease, Simvastatin reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and "mini-stroke" and can stave off the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty to clear clogged arteries. Simvastatin is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight-loss fail to bring your cholesterol level under control. To get the full benefit of Simvastatin, you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor. How should you take Simvastatin? Follow your doctors directions for taking Simvastatin. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Simvastatin at room temperature. Are there any Simvastatin side effects? Simvastatin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Simvastatin side effects may include abdominal pain and headache. Less common Simvastatin side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, gas, muscle weakness with rash, nausea, upper respiratory infection, upset stomach, and weakness. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Simvastatin? If Simvastatin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Simvastatin tends to enhance the effects of the blood-thinning drug Coumadin and the heart medication Lanoxin. Combining Simvastatin with the following drugs increases the chance of muscle damage: Amiodarone (Cordarone), Clarithromycin (Biaxin), Clofibrate (Atromid-S), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Erythromycin (PCE and others), Fenofibrate (Tricor), Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Itraconazole (Sporanox), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Nefazodone (Serzone), Nicotinic acid or niacin (Niaspan), Protease inhibitors (including Agenerase, Crixivan, Fortovase, Invirase, Norvir, and Viracept), or Verapamil (Calan). If you are taking Simvastatin with any of these drugs (or with large quantities of grapefruit juice) alert your doctor immediately at the first sign of muscle pain or weakness. If you need to take erythromycin, Biaxin, Nizoral, or Sporanox, the doctor may temporarily take you off Simvastatin. Are there any special warnings about Simvastatin? Because Simvastatin may damage the liver, your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver enzyme levels before you start taking the drug. Blood tests will probably be done before your treatment is started and at periodic intervals for a year after your final dosage increase. If your liver enzyme levels rise too high, your doctor may tell you to stop taking Simvastatin. Since Simvastatin may cause damage to muscle tissue, be sure to tell your doctor of any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain right away, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. Your doctor may want to do a blood test to check for signs of muscle damage. If you are scheduled for major surgery, your doctor will have you stop taking Simvastatin a few days before the operation. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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