Simvastatin is a drug used to lower bad cholesterol levels (low-density lipoprotein/LDL) and triglycerides, and increase the amount of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein/HDL) in the blood. That way, the risk of complications due to high cholesterol, such as a heart attack or stroke will decrease.
Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug belonging to the statin class. This drug works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme needed to form cholesterol. That way, the amount of cholesterol produced by the body will be reduced.
To control cholesterol levels, the use of simvastatin needs to be balanced by implementing a low-fat diet, maintaining an ideal body weight, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking.
Simvastatin Trademarks: Lextatin, Lipivast, Simvastatin, Simvasto 10, Simvasto 20, Sinova, Valemia, Vytorin, Rechol 10, Rechol 20, Zochol 20
What is Simvastatin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Statins for lowering cholesterol |
| Benefit | Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood |
| Consumed by | Adults and children 10 years old |
| Simvastatin for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women | Category X: Studies in experimental animals and humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities or a risk to the fetus. Drugs in this category should not be taken by women who are or have the possibility of becoming pregnant. It is not known whether Simvastatin is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor. |
| Medicine Form | Tablets or caplets |
Precautions Before Taking Simvastatin
The following are some things you need to pay attention to before taking simvastatin:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Simvastatin should not be taken by patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or alcoholism.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking supplements, herbal products, or other medications, especially azole antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole, an antiviral drug for HIV infection, or gemfibrozil.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. Use effective contraception while on treatment with simvastatin.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or grapefruit survived treatment with simvastatin.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose, after taking simvastatin.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Simvastatin
The dose of simvastatin that the doctor prescribes depends on the patient's age, cholesterol levels, health conditions, and other medications that are currently being used. In general, the following is a breakdown of simvastatin dosages:
Purpose: Treat high cholesterol
- Adult: Initial dose 10–20 mg, once daily. Maintenance dose 5–40 mg, once daily. For patients at risk of heart and blood vessel disorders, the dose can be started from 40 mg per day.
Purpose: Reduce the risk of coronary artery disease
- Adult: 5–40 mg, once daily, in the evening. The dose can be adjusted according to the patient's cholesterol level.
Purpose: Handle homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
- Adult: 40 mg, once daily, in the evening.
- Children 10–17 years: Initially 10 mg, once daily, in the evening. Dosage should not be more than 40 mg per day.
How to Take Simvastatin Correctly
Use simvastatin according to the doctor's prescription and read the instructions on the medicine package. Do not reduce or increase the dose taken without a doctor's instructions.
Simvastatin should be taken in the afternoon, either with food or without food. Swallow the simvastatin tablet or caplet whole with a glass of water. Take the medicine at the same time every day for the medicine to work effectively.
If you forget to take simvastatin, take the drug immediately if the time lag with the next dose is not too close. If the time lag is too close, ignore the dose and do not double the next dose.
Do not stop taking the drug, even if your condition has improved, except on doctor's orders.
Before and after using simvastatin, your doctor will ask you to have regular blood tests. These blood tests are used to check blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, liver function, or kidney function. That way, the effectiveness of your treatment and your response to the drug can be monitored.
Store simvastatin tablets or caplets in a closed container in a dry and cool place away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Simvastatin Interactions with Other Drugs
Drug interactions that can occur if simvastatin is used with certain drugs include:
- Decreased blood levels of simvastatin if taken with supplements John's wort
- Elevated blood levels of elbasvir or grazoprevir
- Increased blood clotting time when used with coumarins or anticoagulants
- Increased risk of developing muscle disorders (myopathy) and including: rhabdomyolysis when used with amiodarone, amlodipine, colchicine, daptomycin, diltiazem, lomitapide, verapamil, gemfibrozil, ciclosporin, danazol, fusidic acid, CYP3A4 inhibitors, or HIV protease inhibitors
If simvastatin is taken with grapefruit it can increase the risk of rhabdomyloysis. In addition, if simvastatin is taken with alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of liver damage.
Side Effects and Dangers of Simvastatin
There are several side effects that can occur after taking simvastatin, namely:
- Constipation
- Nasal congestion, sneezing, or sore throat
- Nausea or stomach ache
- Headache
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Rhabdomyolysis, which can be characterized by severe muscle pain, tenderness or tenderness in the muscles, unusual tiredness, or dark urine
- Impaired kidney function, which can be characterized by symptoms such as difficulty urinating, swelling in the legs, infrequent urination, or the amount of urine that comes out very little
- Impaired liver function, which can be characterized by symptoms such as jaundice, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or vomiting