Simvastatin

Simvastatin is a drug which belongs to the class of statins, a group of medications that's used to lower the cholesterol level in your blood. It's used when lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and losing weight do not lower your cholesterol level enough.

Simvastatin inhibits a particular enzyme and limits the production of cholesterol, while also increasing the number of LDL-receptors, which process excess cholesterol. This means that blood levels drop and dangerous complications such as arteriosclerosis (the narrowing of arteries due to increased cholesterol levels) are prevented.

Absolutely. If you have not already started eating a healthy, wholesome diet, you should make this change as soon as possible.

You should aim to consume plenty of fruit and vegetables while reducing your intake of dairy and fatty meat. You should also limit how much cheese, eggs, and milk you eat, and aim to eat fish on a regular basis.

Regular exercise also plays an important part in lowering cholesterol.

In general, you'll be able to keep driving and working with machinery. But when you first start taking simvastatin, there's a chance that you might experience dizziness while your body adjusts to the medication.

If this is happens, please make sure this temporary side effect has passed before you try to do anything like driving again. This side effect is quite rare and should pass very quickly.

Yes - simvastatin and grapefruit can interact, which means they have an effect on each other. This is because certain components in grapefruit juice have the ability to increase statin levels in your blood, increasing the risk of side effects and muscle damage.

Because of this, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, and carefully check other types of fruit juice, as they may contain grapefruit.

In rare cases, children suffer from a condition called hypercholesterolemia. Young patients may be prescribed simvastatin if their blood levels are very high and will usually take a 10 to 40mg dose per day.

Simvastatin has only been studied in children over the age of 10. Please note that ZAVA can only accept patients over the age of 18 and will not prescribe any medication to children.

No. Simvastatin can not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding your baby. You need to stop treatment immediately and talk to your doctor about possible alternatives. Taking simvastatin when breastfeeding can harm your baby, as simvastatin may be found in the mother’s milk.

Not everyone can take simvastatin. First of all, simvastatin is a prescription-only medication, which can only be taken if your GP has identified the need for treatment with a statin.

During treatment, you'll need to attend regular check-ups, during which your blood levels of cholesterol will be measured, to make sure they're kept at a safe level. Further limitations arise when patients are allergic to simvastatin or any of its ingredients. Patients suffering from liver problems are also likely to be prescribed an alternative cholesterol medication.

If you're already taking other types of medication, you must make sure you tell your doctor before taking simvastatin. Certain drugs, like medicines for fungal infections, or for HIV treatment, as well as particular antibiotics, interact with simvastatin. The same applies to the antidepressant nefazodone and other active ingredients, such as ciclosporin and danazol. For a full list of drugs which interact with simvastatin, please read the patient leaflet.

You doctor will probably advise you to take one simvastatin tablet per day, preferably in the evening. You can choose whether you'd like to take it with or without food but are advised to have a drink of water, which may also help you swallow the tablet.

The dosage you're required to take depends on your condition - your GP will decide what is best on an individual basis. Your starting dose is likely to be at 10mg per day. It will steadily be increased to the dosage you require in the long term, which may be between 10mg and 80mg. Patients suffering from kidney problems or taking a bile acid sequestrant are usually given lower a lower dose of Simvastatin.

Please do not exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor.

Once you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you're likely to require ongoing treatment with a statin to keep your condition under control and prevent complications. If you experience side effects which bother you or still have high blood levels after a prolonged period of using simvastatin, your GP may suggest a change of medication.

Please note that ZAVA can only provide repeat prescriptions. As an online doctor service, we are unable to issue a prescription for any statin unless your condition is being monitored by a local doctor.

Simvastatin tablets come in doses of 10mg, 20mg, 40mg or 80mg. They further contain cellulose (E460), ascorbic acid (E300), lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline, butylhydroxyanisole (E320), starch (maize) pregelatinised, citric acid, anhydrous (E330), talc (E553b), silica, colloidal anhydrous (E551), povidone K-30, triethylcitrate (E1505), magnesium stearate (E470b), hypromellose (E464), iron oxide, red (E172), yellow (E172), and titanium dioxide (E171).

• Low level of red blood cells (also known as anaemia)
• Digestive problems and stomach problems, including sickness, constipation, pain, flatulence, nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Liver failure
• Memory problems
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Muscle problems

Please tell your doctor if you:

• are suffering from kidney problems
• have thyroid problems
• have a family history of hereditary muscle disorder
• have had muscle problems in the past
• regularly consume large amounts of alcohol

• Cramps and muscular pain
• Facial swelling
• Difficulty breathing
• Jaundice
• Severe abdominal pain
• Rash
• Weakness
• Unusual bruising

For a complete list of side effects and warnings, please read the patient leaflet provided with your medication.