Simvastatin

pronounced as(sim' va stat in)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Simvastatin is used together with lifestyle changes (diet, weight-loss, exercise) to reduce the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood. Simvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Simvastatin is also used to decrease the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death, and to decrease the need for surgery to improve blood flow in people who have medical conditions that put them at high risk of developing heart and blood vessel problems. Simvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body so that the cholesterol cannot buildup on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

How should this medicine be used?

Simvastatin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in the evening. Take simvastatin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take simvastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of simvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 weeks.

Continue to take simvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking simvastatin without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

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This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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Before taking simvastatin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to simvastatin , any other medications, or any of the ingredients in simvastatin tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor if you are taking antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and posaconazole (Noxafil); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol; erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); gemfibrozil (Lopid); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); nefazodone; and telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take simvastatin if you are taking these medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet, in Lotrel); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); colchicine; digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor) and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan); ranolazine (Ranexa); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and voriconazole (Vfend). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have liver disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take simvastatin.
  • tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol, if you are 65 years of age or older, and if you are Asian, especially if you are Chinese. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an underactive thyroid gland, diabetes, seizures, or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant during your treatment with simvastatin. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking simvastatin, stop taking simvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Simvastatin can harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed while you are taking simvastatin.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking simvastatin.
  • ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking simvastatin. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

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Avoid drinking large quantities (more than 1 quart [1 liter] a day) of grapefruit juice while taking simvastatin.

Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet, which includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish, vegetables, poultry, and egg whites and increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet with foods such as oatmeal, kidney beans, and apples. Use monounsaturated oils such as olive, peanut, and canola oils or polyunsaturated oils such as corn, safflower, soy, sunflower, cottonseed, and soybean oils. Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods. Talk with your doctor or dietitian if you have any questions or would like more information about low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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Simvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • constipation

  • stomach pain

  • nausea

  • headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately. If you experience any of the first 7 symptoms on this list, do not take any more simvastatin without talking to your doctor:

  • muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

  • dark red urine

  • decreased urination

  • lack of energy, tiredness, or weakness

  • loss of appetite

  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • fever or chills

  • flushing

  • blisters

  • rash

  • hives

  • itching

  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

  • difficulty breathing or swallowing

  • hoarseness

  • joint pain

  • sensitivity to light

This medication may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

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Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

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In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

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Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your response to simvastatin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

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  • Zocor®

Brand names of combination products

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  • Juvisync® (containing Simvastatin, Sitagliptin)
  • Simcor® (containing Niacin, Simvastatin)
  • Vytorin® (containing Ezetimibe, Simvastatin)

Last Revised - 04/15/2012

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.