Simvastatin: uses and side effects

Introduction

Simvastatin is a prescription drug. It comes in two forms: a tablet and a suspension; both are taken by mouth. Simvastatin oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Zocor. It's also available as a generic drug. It was patented by Merck in 1980 and came into medical use in 1992. Simvastatin is available as a generic medication and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2022, it was the nineteenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 26 million prescriptions.

Simvastatin, the more potent semisynthetic version of modified lovastatin, became more useful than lovastatin itself. Chemically speaking, simvastatin is butanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl, (1S,3R,7S,8S,8aR)-1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-(2-[(2R,4R)- tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenyl ester. It has been obtained via chemical synthesis from lovastatin

History

Simvastatin was the second statin used clinically. Simvastatin, which differs from lovastatin in an additional side chain methyl group, was approved for marketing in Sweden in 1988 and then worldwide. Pravastatin followed in 1991, fluvastatin in 1994, atorvastatin in 1997, cerivastatin in 1998, and rosuvastatin in 2003. Lovastatin is a fermentation product. Simvastatin is a semisynthetic derivative of lovastatin, and pravastatin is derived from the natural product compactin by biotransformation. All other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are synthetic products. The mean reduction in LDL cholesterol attainable with the maximal recommended dose of different statins ranges from 35 to 55%.

Uses

It belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." This drug is used to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Statins work to reduce the body's cholesterol production. They also reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides moving through the body. High cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with increased risk of:

heart disease

stroke

heart attack

Statins are usually used in combination with lifestyle changes, such as changes to diet and exercise.

Side effects

Simvastatin oral tablet doesn't cause drowsiness but can cause other side effects.

The more common side effects that can occur with simvastatin include:

headache

nausea

stomach pain

constipation

muscle pain or weakness

joint pain

upper respiratory infections

Serious side effects: Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)

severe muscle pain or weakness

muscle pain or weakness that does not go away when this drug is stopped

muscle spasms

kidney failure

liver toxicity

jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

severe anemia

severe allergic reaction, with symptoms such as fever and trouble breathing

rash of any kind

extreme sensitivity to the sun

diarrhea

feeling weak or very tired

severe stomach pain

severe nausea or vomiting

severe swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles

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