Zocor, Simvastatin Information
Why is
this medication prescribed?
Simvastatin is used with diet
changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of
cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Accumulation of
cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as
atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your
heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of
cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain),
strokes, and heart attacks. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other
uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How
should this medicine be used?
Simvastatin comes in tablets to
take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day at bedtime. 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.
Continue to take simvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking
simvastatin without talking to your doctor.
What
special precautions should I follow?
Before taking simvastatin,
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to simvastatin or any other
drugs.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription
medications you are taking, especially antacids, anticoagulants ('blood
thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cholestyramine (Questran),
clarithromycin (Biaxin), clofibrate (Atromid-S), cyclosporine (Sandimmune,
Neoral), digoxin (Lanoxin), erythromycin, fenofibrate (TriCor), gemfibrozil (Lopid),
HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase),
itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), nefazodone (Serzone), niacin
(nicotinic acid), and vitamins.
Tell your
doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or heart disease; a severe
infection; low blood pressure; or seizures.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking simvastatin, stop taking
simvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Simvastatin can harm the fetus.
If you are
having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking simvastatin.
Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this drug.
Alcohol increases the side effects caused by simvastatin.
Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear
protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Simvastatin may make your skin
sensitive to sunlight.
What
special dietary instructions should I follow?
Avoid drinking large quantities
of grapefruit juice (more than 1 quart a day) while taking simvastatin.
Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet includes cottage cheese,
fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and
polyunsaturated oils and margarines (corn, safflower, canola, 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, lard, pastries, cakes,
cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese
(other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.
What
should I do if I forget a dose?
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?
Although side effects from
simvastatin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
-
Gas
-
Stomach pain or cramps
-
Diarrhoea
-
Constipation
-
Heartburn
-
Headache
-
Blurred vision
-
Dizziness
-
Rash or itching
-
Upset stomach
If you
experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with or without a fever.
What
storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
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.
What
other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your
doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and
during treatment to check your response to simvastatin.
Do not
let anyone else take your medication.
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