Why is the medicine “Simvastatin” necessary? Patient reviews about this medicine will be presented a little further. We will also tell you about the form in which this drug is produced, what indications it has, side effects, analogues and contraindications, how much it costs, how it should be used correctly, etc.
Packaging, release form and composition
The drug "Simvastatin" goes on sale in the form of tablets. They have a round biconvex shape with a notch on one side, as well as white color. Coated, such tablets contain 10 mg of simvastatin. The drug also includes auxiliary components in the form of butylhydroxyanisole, lactose, magnesium stearate, gelatinized starch, talc and microcrystalline cellulose.
What packaging can I buy Simvastatin medicine in? Indications for use of this tool are indicated in the instructions that are contained in a pack of cardboard. Two blisters with tablets (10 pieces each) are also placed there.
pharmachologic effect
How does the medicine "Simvastatin" work? Reviews of experts indicate that this is a lipid-lowering drug. It is obtained synthetically.
The agent in question is an inactive lactone. In the human body, it undergoes hydrolysis, and subsequently forms a hydroxy acid derivative.
The use of the drug does not cause the accumulation of toxins. It is rapidly metabolized and takes part in many synthesizing processes.
Drug properties
What properties does the medicine "Simvastatin" have? Reviews say that this tool helps to reduce triglycerides in blood plasma, total cholesterol, as well as low density lipoproteins.
The therapeutic effect after starting the medication occurs in two weeks. The effect of the drug is stably maintained throughout the treatment. After discontinuation of the pills, the cholesterol level gradually returns to the initial levels.
Pharmacokinetics
How long is the medicine "Simvastatin" absorbed? Reviews of experts say that the absorption of this agent is very high. After taking the medicine inside, its highest concentration in the blood is reached after 1.5-3 hours and decreases by 90% after about 12 hours. Communication with plasma is approximately 95%.
Drug metabolism occurs in the liver. The half-life of metabolites is approximately two hours.
A medication with feces, as well as through the kidneys, is excreted.
The drug "Simvastatin": indications for use
The drug in question is recommended for use in hypercholesterolemia, as well as coronary heart disease. Only a doctor should prescribe such a medicine after a medical examination.
So in what cases can I take Simvastatin tablets? What is this remedy prescribed from? According to the instructions, this drug is recommended for use with:
- primary hypercholesterolemia;
- inefficiency of a diet with low cholesterol and other non-drug measures (weight loss, physical activity) in patients with coronary atherosclerosis;
- combined hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, which is not corrected by physical activity and a special diet.
In what other cases is prescribed medication "Simvastatin"? Indications for use of this tool will be considered right now:
- prevention of myocardial infarction;
- reduced risk of heart dysfunction (e.g., transient ischemic attacks or stroke);
- slowing of coronary arteriosclerosis.
Contraindications
Now you know why the medicine “Simvastatin” is prescribed. Indications for the use of this tool were presented above. However, this drug has contraindications. These include the following conditions:
- muscle diseases (or so-called myopathy);
- liver diseases occurring in the active phase;
- age up to 18 years;
- persistent increase in the activity of liver enzymes (including unclear etiology);
- hypersensitivity to the drug or to its individual components (including lactose intolerance);
- hypersensitivity to other statin drugs.
Cautious use of the drug
The medicine “Simvastatin”, the price of which is indicated below, is prescribed with special care to patients who abuse alcoholic beverages, as well as to people after organ transplantation (together with immunosuppressant therapy).
In addition, the drug in question is carefully taken in conditions leading to the development of renal failure (for example, with hypotension, acute infections of an infectious nature, decreased or, conversely, increased muscle tone, pronounced metabolic and endocrine disorders, epilepsy, electrolyte imbalances, surgical interventions, including dental, and injuries).
The drug "Simvastatin": use and dosage
Before starting treatment with the drug in question, the patient must undergo a standard hypocholesterol diet. By the way, it should be followed throughout the course of treatment.
Simvastatin tablets are prescribed once a day, in the evening. The time taken to take this medicine should not coincide with the consumption of food.
The recommended dosage of the drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is 10-80 mg per day.
Dose changes must be carried out at intervals of a month. First, the patient should take 10 mg, then 20, 30, etc. In most cases, the optimal therapeutic effect is achieved when taking 20 mg of the drug.
The dosage of this medication depends on the age of the patient, his condition, etc. In this regard, such a tool should be prescribed only by a doctor, after examination of the patient and medical examination.
Adverse reactions
Like any other medicine, the medicine "Simvastatin" also has side effects. Among the most common, the following can be distinguished:
- Abdominal pain, hepatitis, constipation, pancreatitis, flatulence, vomiting, increased activity of liver enzymes, diarrhea, nausea.
- Asthenic syndrome, violation of taste sensations, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia, paresthesia, muscle cramps.
- Angioedema, eosinophilia, polymyalgia rheumatism, urticaria, lupus-like syndrome, vasculitis, shortness of breath, thrombocytopenia, hot flashes, increased ESR, skin hyperemia, fever, photosensitivity, arthritis.
- Skin rash, alopecia, dermatomyositis, pruritus.
- Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, myalgia, weakness, muscle cramps.
- Anemia, decreased potency, palpitations, renal failure (acute).
Special instructions for taking the medication
Before using the drug, you must carefully study the instructions. It says that:
- Before starting therapy, it is necessary to conduct a study of the liver;
- medication "Simvastatin" can not be taken with renal failure and increased risk of rhabdomyolysis;
- the medicine may have a negative effect on the fetus;
- it is not recommended to take tablets for women of childbearing age who do not use contraceptives;
- during treatment you can not abuse alcohol;
- during therapy, the patient must adhere to a hypocholesterol diet;
- simultaneous intake of grapefruit juice can increase the severity of adverse reactions;
- the drug can be effective both in the form of monotherapy, and in conjunction with the use of bile acid sequestrants.
Analogs and cost of the drug
Now you know what the medicine "Simvastatin" is. Analogs, the price of this medicine will be indicated right now.
If it is impossible to use the drug in question, it can be replaced with drugs such as Simvakard, Avestatin, Holvasim, Actalipid, Sinkard, Aterostat, Simplakor, Vasilip, Simlo, Vero -Simvastatin ”,“ Simgal ”,“ Zovatin ”,“ Simvor ”,“ Zokor ”,“ Simvastol ”,“ Zorstat ”,“ Simvalimit ”,“ Ariescor ”,“ Simvakol ”,“ Simvageksal ”, etc.
The price of Simvastatin is not very high and is about 240 rubles for 20 tablets.
Reviews about the drug
Most patients who have ever taken Simvastatin tablets note its high effectiveness. The drug quickly reduces cholesterol, preventing the development of various diseases.
However, some patients are unhappy that, after the course of treatment, the level of cholesterol rises again and often reaches the baseline.