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Drug Class
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin)
Common Uses
- High cholesterol levels
- Reduce the risk of heart diseases in high risk patients
Common Brand Names
Zocor, Simvador, Bestatin
Overview
Simvastatin is used to lower cholesterol if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol. It’s also taken to prevent heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. It belongs to a group of medicines called statins.
Your doctor may prescribe simvastatin if you have a family history of heart disease, or a long-term health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, or type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Simvastatin is available on prescription as tablets in some countries.
Important Facts
- Most people with high cholesterol do not have any symptoms, but keep taking simvastatin even if you feel well. When taken regularly, it will take about 4 weeks for your cholesterol level to fall.
- Do not take simvastatin if you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor of pharmacist if you’re breastfeeding as they may recommend that you take a different medicine.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice while you’re taking simvastatin. It can increase the level of simvastatin in your blood.
- Because your body makes most of its cholesterol at night, it is better to take simvastatin in the evening.
- Stop taking simvastatin and call a doctor if you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps (this is more likely if you’re taking a higher dose of simvastatin, and it can happen a few weeks or months after you first start taking this medicine) – this can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage.
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