Side effects
Rarely will this drug cause a very severe allergic reaction. Simvastatin users may occasionally experience slight memory loss or confusion. Chinese people, older adults, and women could be at greater risk. However, if you experience any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, you should seek immediate medical attention. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor. Inform your doctor right away if you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects: dark urine, persistent nausea, persistent vomiting, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any additional side effects not covered above. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. For medical advice about side effects in the US, contact your doctor. Many people who use this medication report no significant side effects. Statins may sporadically worsen or exacerbate diabetes. Keep in mind that your doctor has prescribed this medicine because they believe it will benefit you more than it will harm you. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms last after your doctor stops this drug: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). This medication may infrequently result in muscle issues (which may infrequently result in autoimmune myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, two very serious conditions). Possible side effects are not covered in this list in full. Rarely, this medication may result in liver issues. You can contact the FDA to report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Call 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects to Health Canada.
Interactions
Any healthcare professional who treats you should be given a list of all your medications. Simvastatin and a variety of medications can interact. Not all potential interactions are covered in this list. Tell your doctor about all of your medications, including any that you start using or stop using while taking Zocor, in particular: This includes vitamins, herbal products, prescription and over-the-counter medications. This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with simvastatin. Medications that interact with Zocor delavirdine; fenofibrate; or fluconazole.
Contraindications
For more information, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Inform your doctor or dentist of all the products you use, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications, before having surgery. Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about all of your medical history before taking this medication, particularly any instances of liver disease, kidney disease, or alcohol use. Before breastfeeding, consult a doctor. For more information and to talk about using effective birth control while taking this medication, speak with your doctor. Reliable methods of birth control include condoms and birth control pills. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with simvastatin. Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you become pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant. While taking this medication, it's crucial to avoid getting pregnant. Whether this medication enters breast milk is a mystery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Older adults may be more sensitive to this medication's side effects, especially muscle issues. Simvastatin might be harmful to an unborn child. For more information, speak to your pharmacist. Pregnancy should not be the reason for using this medication. This product might include inactive components that could lead to allergic reactions or other issues.
Simvastatin is an effective serum lipid-lowering drug that can decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by up to 50%. Common side effects (>1% incidence) may include indigestion and eczema. It is recommended to be used as an addition to a low-cholesterol diet.
It’s wise to double-check with your pharmacist and always read package inserts and check the drugs you currently use for possible interactions. Note: Some research has shown a possible relationship between the use of statins and the risk of diabetes, however, the risk of developing diabetes from the use of statins is very small. There have been rare reports of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy associated with statin use Contra-indications and Cautions for Simvastatin Contra-indications Do not take Zocor if you are allergic to simvastatin or any ingredients contained in this drug. Cholesterol (and triglycerides) are fats that are made in your body. Possible side effects may include any of the following and the side effects experienced may be transitory (clears up after a few days) or may remain.
When digoxin is taken by patients receiving saquinavir (Invirase) with ritonavir (Norvir), the amount of digoxin (Lanoxin) in the body can increase by 50%, possibly leading to side effects such as potentially fatal rhythm disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, blurred or yellow vision; headache; weakness; dizziness; apathy; confusion; and mental disturbances such as anxiety, depression, delirium, and hallucinations. Saquinavir also may inhibit the break-down of the cholesterol-lowering drugs lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and cerivastatin (Baycol). Rifampin (Rifadin) and rifabutin (Mycobutin) decrease blood concentrations of saquinavir and therefore could decrease the effectiveness of saquinavir. The combination of saquinavir and ritonavir should not be combined with rifampin due to the risk of severe liver damage.
Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Also, the most possible side effects include muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark coloured urine. Atherosclerosis is a chronic process and the discontinuation of lipid-lowering medications during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia. The dosage can be varied every 4 weeks, but should not exceed 40 mg a day. Do not use before breast-feeding without doctor's permission.
Do not use before breast-feeding without doctor's permission. It's very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. Also note: Zocor may increase your risk for liver problems.
Nakamura said further tests are needed to see if a variant of the same gene is also responsible for that condition. I think it can be used to get greater efficacy for particular patients while improving safety,” Collins said. The discovery is less likely to affect those patients taking 20 to 40 milligrams of Zocor daily, or those patients taking standard doses of other statins, since the incidence of myopathy for that population is only about one per 10,000 patients per year. The difference was found on a gene involved in the way the liver regulates statin levels. British researchers have just announced yesterday that they have located a gene responsible for muscle pain or weakness that is experienced by some people who are taking the statin drug Zocor.