Simvastatin Effects

Statin Drug Information

• Simvastatin belongs a class of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly called statins. Other statin drugs include lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
  
  

Mechanism of Action

• Simvastatin inhibits an enzyme in the liver needed to produce cholesterol. It lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and boosts HDL ("good") cholesterol.
  
  

Considerations

• Simvastatin is used in conjunction with a healthy diet to lower cholesterol. The drug has been in use since the federal Food and Drug Administration approved it in December 1991.
  
  

Drug Interactions

• Omudhome Ogbru, a PharmD and pharmacy author at medicinenet.com, cautions against many drug interactions with Simvastatin. Amiodarone (Cordarone), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and fenofibrate (Tricor) are a few of many drugs that might increase the risk of muscle toxicity. Many drugs interfere with the body's elimination of simvastatin.
  Simvastatin also increases the effect of the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) and blood levels of digoxin (Lanoxin), an antiarrhythmic drug.
  
  

Other Precautions

• Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses offers the following precautions when taking Simvastatin:
  Cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be checked before starting therapy, four to six weeks later and periodically thereafter. Liver function tests should also be done at this time.
  Patients should report any unexplained muscle pain or tenderness to their health-care providers.
  The medication helps control, but does not cure elevated cholesterol, and should be part of a plan that includes diet, exercise, cessation of smoking and limiting alcohol.
  Avoid grapefruit juice as it results in higher blood levels of Simvastatin and may lead to toxicity.