simvastatin

Brand names: SIMVASTATIN

# 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.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS See full prescribing information for details regarding concomitant use of simvastatin with other drugs or grapefruit juice that increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. ( 2.5 , 7.1 ) Coumarin Anticoagulants: Obtain INR before simvastatin initiation and monitor INR during simvastatin dosage initiation or adjustment. ( 7.2 ) Digoxin: During simvastatin initiation, monitor digoxin levels. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Drug Interactions that Increase the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis with Simvastatin Simvastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4 and of the transport protein OATP1B1. Simvastatin exposure can be significantly increased with concomitant administration of inhibitors of CYP3A4 and OATP1B1. Table 2 includes a list of drugs that increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when used concomitantly with simvastatin and instructions for preventing or managing them [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.1 ) AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ( 12.3 )] . Table 2: Drug Interactions that

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • FATIGUE14,278 reports
  • NAUSEA13,886 reports
  • DYSPNOEA13,021 reports
  • DIARRHOEA12,368 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE12,121 reports
  • DIZZINESS11,657 reports
  • PAIN9,706 reports
  • ASTHENIA9,689 reports
  • FALL9,623 reports
  • HEADACHE9,346 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with simvastatin:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.