«Simvastatin»: reviews, indications, price and analogy

What is the use of the drug "Simvastatin"? Patients' comments about this medicine will be presented below. Also, we will 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 applied correctly, and so on.

Packaging, form of production and composition

The drug "Simvastatin" goes on sale in the form of tablets. They have a round biconvex shape with a risk on one side, as well as a white color. Coated, such tablets contain 10 mg of simvastatin. The medicament also includes auxiliary components in the form of butyl hydroxy anisole, lactose, magnesium stearate, gelatinized starch, talc and microcrystalline cellulose.

In which packaging can you buy a medicine "Simvastatin"? Indication for the use of this agent is indicated in the instructions contained in the pack of cardboard. There are also placed two blisters with tablets (10 pieces each).

pharmachologic effect

How does the medicine "Simvastatin" work? Experts' feedback indicates 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 accumulation of toxins. It is rapidly metabolized and participates in many synthesizing processes.

Properties of the medicament

What are the properties of the medicament "Simvastatin"? Reviews say that this tool helps reduce triglycerides in blood plasma, total cholesterol, and low density lipoproteins.

The therapeutic effect after the start of taking the medication occurs in two weeks. The effect of the medication is stable for the duration of treatment. After the abolition of the tablets, the cholesterol level gradually returns to the initial indices.

Pharmacokinetics

How long is the drug "Simvastatin" absorbed? The experts say that the absorption of this remedy is very high. After taking the drug inside it, the highest concentration in the blood is reached after 1.5-3 hours and decreases by 90% after about 12 hours. The bond with plasma is approximately 95%.

Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver. The half-life of metabolites is approximately two hours.

Drug is given with a calorie mass, and also by means of kidneys.

The preparation "Simvastatin": indications for use

This drug is recommended for use in hypercholesterolemia, as well as ischemic heart disease. Prescribe this medicine should only be a doctor after a medical examination.

So in what cases can I take the tablet "Simvastatin"? What is the purpose of this remedy? 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, exercise) in patients with coronary atherosclerosis;
• Combined hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, which is not corrected by physical loads and a special diet.

In what other cases is the "Simvastatin" medication prescribed? Indications for the use of this tool will be considered right now:

• Prevention of myocardial infarction;
• A reduction in the risk of cardiac dysfunction (eg, transient ischemic attacks or stroke);
• Slowing of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Contraindications for use

Now you know what the medicament "Simvastatin" is prescribed for. Indications for the use of this remedy were presented above. However, this drug also has contraindications. These include the following states:

• Musculature disease (or so-called myopathy);
• Liver diseases that occur in the active phase;
• Age to 18 years;
• Persistent increase in the activity of liver enzymes (including unclear etiology);
• Increased sensitivity to the drug or to its individual components (including lactose intolerance);
• Hypersensitivity to other drugs of the statin series.

Careful drug intake

The medication "Simvastatin", the price of which is indicated below, with special caution is prescribed for patients who abuse alcoholic beverages, as well as people after organ transplantation (together with immunosuppressant therapy).

In addition, the agent under consideration is carefully taken at conditions leading to the development of renal insufficiency (for example, in hypotension, acute infections of an infectious nature, decreased or, conversely, increased muscle tone, expressed metabolic as well as endocrine disorders, epilepsy, electrolyte imbalance, Surgical interventions, including dental, and trauma).

"Simvastatin": application and dosage

Before the start of therapy, the patient under consideration should undergo a standard hypocholesterol diet. By the way, it should be followed and throughout the course of treatment.

Tablets "Simvastatin" appoint once a day, in the evening. The time of taking this medicine should not coincide with eating.

The recommended dosage of the drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is 10-80 mg per day.

Dose changes should be carried out at monthly intervals. First, the patient should take 10 mg, then 20, 30, etc. In most cases, the optimal therapeutic effect is achieved by taking 20 mg of the drug.

The dosage of this medication depends on the patient's age, condition, and so on. In this regard, such a tool should appoint only a doctor, after examining the patient and medical examination.

Adverse Reactions

Like any other medicine, the drug "Simvastatin" also has side effects. Among the most common are the following:

• Abdominal pain, hepatitis, constipation, pancreatitis, flatulence, vomiting, increased activity of liver enzymes, diarrhea, nausea.
• Asthenic syndrome, taste disorders, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia, paresthesia, muscle cramps.
• Angioedema, eosinophilia, rheumatic polymyalgia, urticaria, lupus-like syndrome, vasculitis, dyspnea, thrombocytopenia, hot flashes, increased ESR, skin hyperemia, fever, photosensitivity, arthritis.
• Skin rash, alopecia, dermatomyositis, itching.
• Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, myalgia, weakness, muscle cramps.
• Anemia, decreased potency, palpitation, renal failure (acute).

Special instructions for taking medication

Before using the drug, you should carefully read the instructions. It says that:

• Before starting therapy, it is necessary to conduct a study of liver function;
• The drug "Simvastatin" can not be taken with renal insufficiency and an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis;
• The drug may have a negative effect on the fetus;
• It is not recommended to take pills for women of childbearing age who do not use contraceptives;
• During treatment, you should not abuse alcohol;
• During therapy, the patient should observe a hypocholesterol diet;
• Simultaneous intake of grapefruit juice can enhance the severity of adverse reactions;
• The drug can be effective both in the form of monotherapy, and together with the use of bile acid sequestrants.

Analogues and cost of the drug

Now you know what the "Simvastatin" medicine is. Analogues, the price of this medication will be indicated right now.

If it is not possible to use the drug in question, it can be replaced with drugs such as Simvacard, Avestatin, Holvasim, Aktalipid, Sincard, Atherostat, Simplakor, Vazilip, Simlo, Vero "Simvastatin", "Simgal", "Zovatin", "Simvor", "Zokor", "Simvastol", "Zorstat", "Simvalitum", "Ovenkor", "Simvakol", "Simvaghexal", etc.

The price of the medicine "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 efficacy. The drug quickly reduces cholesterol, preventing the development of various diseases.

However, some patients are dissatisfied with the fact that after the passed treatment, the level of cholesterol rises again and often reaches the initial values.