If there are problems with pressure and cholesterol in the circulatory system, the doctor may recommend Simvastol tablets. The drug has a good reputation, user reviews on the World Wide Web also inspire confidence. We will analyze the instructions for understanding what the medicine is based on, how it works, and what limitations of its use are currently known.
What's in pharmacies?
Instructions "Simvastola" contains an accurate description of the filling of the pack. If there is a discrepancy between the data in the accompanying documentation and the one present, you must contact the pharmacy to replace the packaging. Normally, the drug is colored in pink (10 mg) or yellow (20 mg). Each instance is coated, made in the shape of a circle. The product is homogeneous, the edges are solid. If you cut the drug, you can see two layers: the core is white, the edge is thin, pink or yellow (depending on the dosage of the active component).
The instruction of "Simvastol" mentions that the name belongs to the group of lipid-lowering. The tool is made synthetically, is a fermentation product of Aspergillus terreus.
How to use correctly?
The manufacturer draws attention to the fact that Simvastol (reviews confirm this fact) at the beginning of use can cause an increased concentration of liver enzymes. Gradually, the condition is independently adjusted, no specific measures are required, there is no need to cancel the drug either. In general, drug tolerance is good, and disturbing effects are rare, although possible.
As at the very beginning of the use of "Simvastol", and subsequently it is important to regularly take tests to monitor the quality of the liver. The first three months of treatment, an organ enzyme test is carried out every 6 weeks, then the period is increased by another two weeks, keeping this for a year. With normal tolerance and continued use of the drug, the quality of the liver should be checked once a year.
Program changes
As indicated in the reviews, Simvastol may affect liver function if the doctor recommends adjusting the dosage of the drug. If the doctor has prescribed large concentrations of the drug, you will have to regularly come to the clinic to check liver activity indicators. If the dose is 80 mg, it is recommended to take tests with a three-month periodicity. If studies reveal persistent activity greater than normal liver transaminases, the therapeutic course is completed. The indication for this will be three times the norm exceeding the indicators identified in the study of the health of the body. However, as noted by patients treated with Simvastol, the need for withdrawal is quite rare. Even with an increase in daily doses, the medication is well tolerated by the body, does not cause negative feedback.
Special care is required
Simvastol tablets (analogues belonging to the category of HMG-CoA reductase, too) are not intended for use if the likelihood of rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure are increased. Often such conditions accompany acute infection, hypotension, and injuries. Simvastol should not be used if serious metabolic disorders have been identified, a major operation is expected in the near future.
In indications for the use of "Simvastol" there is a mention of primary hypercholesterolemia. If therapy using the described drug was long enough, drug withdrawal due to pregnancy does not lead to a noticeable effect on the patient's condition.
"Interesting" position
Reviews on the use of "Simvastol" contain information about the urgent recommendation of doctors not to take the drug during gestation. Compounds blocking the activity of HMG-CoA reductase lead to delayed formation of cholesterol in the tissues of the body, but this compound, as well as other substances produced in the synthesis processes, are necessary for the normal development of the embryo. The use of "Simvastol" can cause the incorrect production of cell membranes, steroids. If Simvastol is prescribed to a woman during a period when pregnancy is possible, protection measures must be taken until the completion of the therapeutic course. If conception is detected during the treatment period, Simvastol is canceled, and the patient is informed of all the dangers associated with such pregnancy circumstances.
Instructions for use "Simvastol" contains recommendations to refrain from undergoing treatment with this tool if a patient of reproductive age does not use contraceptives.
Important features: use wisely
Instructions for use "Simvastol" contains indications of the particular treatment of some patients. If hypothyroidism is diagnosed, nephrotic syndrome is detected, other kidney diseases are detected, Simvastol should not be prescribed immediately, as soon as the tests showed elevated cholesterol in the blood. The optimal approach is the responsible treatment of the disease that provoked such an effect, and only as it is eliminated, you can resort to Simvastol to adjust the patient's condition.
Specific conditions instructions for use "Simvastol" contains regarding persons suffering from alcohol dependence. It is important to regularly check the vital indicators of the body in order to prevent a negative response of internal systems. Various liver diseases carried by the patient, mentioned in the medical history, require special care. In any of the options, treatment is necessarily accompanied by a specially selected diet with a minimum cholesterol content.
Hazards and rules of admission
Instructions for use of Simvastol does not recommend eating grapefruit juice during treatment with the drug, as this can provoke more pronounced side effects. Persons suffering from myalgia, myasthenia also deserve special attention. In general, the use of Simvastol is prohibited in such a situation. Treatment with the drug should be discontinued if hypersensitivity to CPK is manifested. Do not use the product if the patient has revealed hypertriglyceridemia of the first, fourth, fifth type.
Like analogues, substitutes for the drug, Simvastol can cause an allergic response to the body. There is a likelihood of developing myopathy, provoking rhabdomyolysis, renal failure. The likelihood of such a development of events is higher if the patient uses the described name simultaneously with fibrates, antimicrobial agents from the groups of macrolides, cyclosporins, as well as nefazodone. Certain dangers are associated with the simultaneous use of Simvastol and azole antifungal agents, HIV protease inhibitors. Myopathy is more likely to be disturbed while taking Simvastol in patients with severe renal failure.
Know and understand
At the recommendation to take according to the instructions "Simvastol", analogues that belong to the same category of medicines, as well as in situations where an increase in dosage is required, in the doctor’s area of responsibility is to warn the patient about the likelihood of myopathy. The specialist draws attention to the fact that an unexplained pain syndrome, which appeared shortly after the start of the course or an increase in dosage, as well as painful sensations, muscle weakness, lethargy, is an occasion to immediately seek qualified help. It is especially important to visit the hospital if the condition is febrile or is worried by a pronounced malaise. In such a situation, the reception of the drug is immediately stopped. Cancellation occurs equally with diagnosed myopathy, and under the assumption of such a condition.
When using Simvastol, the substitutes for this drug chosen by the doctor, you will have to regularly visit the clinic for testing in order to control KFK. This helps prevent myopathy. It is known that the process of using the drug may be accompanied by an increase in serum CPK. If chest pains are felt, the doctor takes this feature into account. The medication is canceled if the CPK exceeds the standard ten times or more.
How to use?
As mentioned in the reviews, instructions for use, Simvastol is effective both as the only drug for treating a patient and as an element of complex therapy. Good results are shown by the combination of Simvastol and bile acid sequestrants. The manufacturer recommends that when skipping the next dose, take the missed volume as soon as possible, but do not double the dosage if the skip is detected by the time you need to take the next portion. If the functioning of the kidneys is severe, Simvastol is prescribed only if it is possible to continuously monitor the functioning of this body. The duration of the therapeutic course is always determined by the doctor, there are no universal recipes for this. The doctor assesses the patient’s condition, diagnosis, associated pathologies, the body’s response to treatment, on the basis of which it formulates how long the course is optimal.
There is currently no information that Simvastol may adversely affect the patient's ability to concentrate. There is no effect on the reaction rate. No lifestyle adjustments, refusal to drive transport during treatment is required.
Technical points
As indicated in the instructions, "Simvastol" is an inactive lactone. Once in the human body, the substance enters a hydrolysis reaction, the product of which has activity, inhibiting HMG-CoA. The effectiveness of the medication is due to the fact of preventing the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, and this reaction is an early stage in the formation of cholesterol. "Simvastol" does not become the reason for the accumulation of sterols in the tissues of the body, which is estimated by experts as extremely positive - the compounds belong to the class of potentially toxic. HMG-CoA is converted to acetyl-CoA, an element involved in various reactions in the human body.
As specific tests have shown, the active compound is adsorbed with a high degree of process efficiency. The drug reaches its maximum concentration in the circulatory system in just an hour and a half from the moment it is ingested (sometimes the interval stretches to 150 minutes), the parameter decreases by 90% after half a day. Up to 95% enter into stable bonds with plasma. The elimination half-life of the metabolic reaction products with activity is a little less than two hours. More than half of the compounds are excreted in the feces, about 10-15% - by the kidneys, the form is inactive.
What is going on in the body?
With proper use of the medication according to the instructions in the plasma, the concentration of LDL, VLDL, triglyceride fractions, cholesterol in general decreases. This makes the medication effective in mixed forms of diseases, non-family, family heterozygous, that is, situations when it is precisely the increased concentration of cholesterol that is the main hazard-indicating factor. HDL in the circulatory system rises, and the ratio of LDL to LAPA decreases. The ratio of total cholesterol volumes and HDL is decreasing. A lasting effect is observed two weeks after the start of the therapeutic course, the most pronounced achievable by the fifth week of treatment (sometimes a little earlier or a little later). Duration of action - the entire therapeutic course. At the end of the medication, cholesterol levels slowly return to their original values.
When appointed
As follows from the reviews, instructions for use, "Simvastol" (analogues) is recommended for people who have revealed primary type hypercholesterolemia, while diets do not show a significant improvement, even if cholesterol intake is very clearly controlled. The drug is recommended if other measures to reduce cholesterol concentration have been tried, but all of them have shown inefficiency even under the condition of reducing weight and increasing physical activity. "Simvastol" is prescribed only in a situation where the chances of coronary atherosclerosis are estimated above average. It can be used, if hypercholesterolemia is established, an increased concentration of triglycerides of a combined type. A similar condition is the inefficiency of diets, physical activity, non-drug methods of another plan.
"Simvastol" prescribes for cardiac ischemia as a prophylactic that prevents heart attack, reduces the risk of death in ischemia. Proper use of the drug can reduce the likelihood of impaired functioning of the heart, vascular system. The tool shows particular effectiveness with an increased risk of transistor attacks of ischemia, stroke. If atherosclerosis is diagnosed, the use of Simvastol helps to slow the progress of the disease and reduce the risk of revascularization.
When is it impossible?
"Simvastol" is not intended for the treatment of persons whose body is hypersensitive to the active compound, other substances used in the manufacture of the medication. A complete list of components is provided in the official accompanying documentation enclosed in the tablet package. You can not use "Simvastol" if the patient’s body does not tolerate statin drugs. Before prescribing the drug, it is important to examine the client’s medical history in detail.
Simvastol is not intended for the treatment of persons suffering from liver diseases in the form of exacerbation, as well as for stable activity of liver enzymes above normal, if the etiology of this problem is not detected. You can not use the drug if porphyria, myopathy is established. The drug is not intended for the treatment of minors, there is no information about the effectiveness of such therapy, the safety of Simvastol for the patient.
Attentiveness is the key to safety
Simvastol can be used with great care by persons addicted to alcoholic beverages. Only under the constant supervision of a doctor can a medication be used if an organ transplant has recently been transferred. A specific approach is required by people undergoing a course of drugs that suppress the immune system, since there is a possibility of ribdomiolysis, kidney failure. A special relationship is required by a person whose condition suggests an increased likelihood of kidney failure. In particular, these are disorders in the endocrine gland, metabolism, severe infectious diseases in acute form, hypotension.
"Simvastol" is used with caution if the patient is scheduled for surgery, including dentistry. A specific approach is necessary if water-electrolytic balance disturbances, injuries, an inadequate level of skeletal muscle tone are detected, and the cause of this condition cannot be determined. "Simvastol" is permissible, but only under the supervision of a doctor, if the patient is ill with epilepsy.
How to use correctly?
Therapy "Simvastol" is preceded by a diet with a low concentration of cholesterol. Such a nutrition program is also observed during the period of use of the product. The tablets are intended for daily use in the evening, one capsule. The drug is abundantly washed down with water, if swallowed without violating the integrity of the shell. There is no need to tie the period of taking the medication and the meal, but it is reasonable to use the drug daily at the same time. Dosage varies between 10-80 mg. Treatment begins with 10 mg daily, gradually gradually increasing the amount of the patient’s use of the drug until a pronounced therapeutic effect is achieved. It is unacceptable to eat more than 80 mg per day.
Dosage adjustment is recommended no more than once a month. As can be seen from the medical statistics, in the majority of cases the optimal dose is 20 mg, although individual deviations are possible both up and down. If hypercholesterolemia is familial, homozygous, Simvastol is recommended to be used daily in the evening in the amount of 40 mg. Sometimes the dose reaches 80 mg, taken in three approaches - 20 mg in the morning, the same amount during the day, twice as much - before a night's rest.
Many or few?
Currently, about 300 rubles are being asked for in one package of the drug in question in pharmacies.The specific cost is determined by the dosage of the active compound in capsules, the pricing policy of the pharmaceutical company. Analogs of Simvastol are presented both more expensive and somewhat cheaper. In general, the described name belongs to the number of available funds from its category. If it is necessary to select a substitute, doctors often recommend resorting to the names:
Among the reliable analogues of Simvastol are Aterostat, Simvor, and Simplacor. It is categorically not recommended to choose a replacement yourself, this can cause a lack of a therapeutic effect, side effects, including myopathy. The use of any medication, its replacement with analogues should be coordinated with the attending physician who prescribed the drug.