Simvastatin
Simvastatin (brand name: Zocor) is used to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. This may help prevent medical problems caused by cholesterol clogging the blood vessels. This medication belong to the group of medicines called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. They work by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol. Thus, less cholesterol is made.
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Uses Simvastatin is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Simvastatin (Zocor) is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Directions Take each dose with a full glass of water. For the greatest effect, simvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take simvastatin regularly to get the most benefit. Do not stop taking simvastatin without first talking to your doctor. Simvastatin may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with simvastatin to monitor progress and side effects. If you miss a dose of simvastatin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of simvastatin is suspected. Symptoms of a simvastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion. Storage Store Simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Cautions Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with simvastatin and every six months after both the start of your treatment and any increase in dose. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require. Do not take simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have . * liver disease * have kidney disease, * drink alcoholic beverages, * have a chronic muscular disease, or * have a blood disorder. Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of simvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems. Alcohol and simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined. Simvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that simvastatin is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take simvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Interactions Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from simvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods. Side Effects Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of simvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking simvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: * an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); * decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or * blurred vision. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience * gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea; * cough; * headache; or * insomnia.
Uses Simvastatin is used to reduce the total amounts of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Simvastatin (Zocor) is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions may reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Directions Take each dose with a full glass of water. For the greatest effect, simvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. Follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to take simvastatin regularly to get the most benefit. Do not stop taking simvastatin without first talking to your doctor. Simvastatin may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with simvastatin to monitor progress and side effects. If you miss a dose of simvastatin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of simvastatin is suspected. Symptoms of a simvastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion. Storage Store Simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Cautions Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with simvastatin and every six months after both the start of your treatment and any increase in dose. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require. Do not take simvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have . * liver disease * have kidney disease, * drink alcoholic beverages, * have a chronic muscular disease, or * have a blood disorder. Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of simvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems. Alcohol and simvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined. Simvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that simvastatin is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take simvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Interactions Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with simvastatin. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from simvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods. Side Effects Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of simvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking simvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: * an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); * decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or * blurred vision. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take simvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience * gas, bloating, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea; * cough; * headache; or * insomnia.
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