Simvastatin: Uses, Side Effects, and Drug Interactions

# Simvastatin Overview Simvastatin is a medicine used to help lower cholesterol levels in your blood. Your body makes cholesterol naturally, but sometimes you have too much of it. High cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Simvastatin works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol, which helps reduce the amount in your bloodstream. Doctors prescribe it to people who have high cholesterol or who are at risk for heart problems. When taking simvastatin, there are some important safety rules to follow. You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit because they can make the medicine build up to dangerous levels in your body. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially blood thinners like warfarin and heart medicines like digoxin, because simvastatin can interact with them. In rare cases, simvastatin can cause muscle problems, including severe muscle breakdown, so report any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine to your doctor right away. Your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function regularly while you're taking this medicine to make sure it's working safely.