![]() The reports about memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion span all statin products and all age groups.FDA has found that liver injury associated with statin use is rare but can occur.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its guidance for statin users to address reports of memory loss, liver damage, increased blood sugar, development of type 2 diabetes, and muscle injury. In 2012, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium has released guidelines regarding the use of rs4149056 genotype in guiding dosing of simvastatin and updated the guideline in 2014. Ī type of DNA variant known as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may help predict individuals prone to developing myopathy when taking simvastatin a study ultimately including 32,000 patients concluded the carriers of one or two risk alleles of a particular SNP, rs4149056, were at a five-fold or 16-fold increased risk, respectively. Serious allergic reactions to simvastatin are rare. Cholestatic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscles and blockade of renal system), and myositis have been reported in patients receiving the drug chronically. ![]() There is evidence to suggest that rare side effects such as joint pain, memory loss, and muscle cramps are more likely to occur in patients who take higher doses of simvastatin. Adverse effects Ĭommon side effects (>1% incidence) may include indigestion and eczema. A lower dose is also recommended in people taking the calcium channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, as well as those taking amiodarone. High doses of simvastatin are also contraindicated with the widely used antihypertensive amlodipine. Patients cannot breastfeed while on simvastatin due to potentially disrupting the infant's lipid metabolism. Pregnancy must be avoided while on simvastatin due to potentially severe birth defects. Simvastatin is contraindicated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and liver disease. Given the current available information, simvastatin should not be recommended solely for the treatment of AMD. Multiple observational studies have been conducted to analyse the benefits of statin use in delaying the progression of AMD but have resulted in conflicting outcomes. Statins in general have been proposed as beneficial in reducing the progression of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). People receiving simvastatin experienced 38% fewer nonfatal heart attacks and 25% fewer strokes. In this trial, which lasted 5.4 years, overall mortality was reduced by 13% and cardiovascular mortality was reduced by 18%. The Heart Protection Study evaluated the effects of simvastatin in people with risk factors including existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or stroke, but having relatively low LDL cholesterol. Simvastatin also reduced the numbers of other events like heart attacks, strokes, and revascularizations and MI significantly. In heart protection studies, simvastatin showed the ability to lower LDL cholesterol by about 1♵ mmol/L, which resulted in substantial reductions in mortality rates. It is recommended to be used as an addition to a low-cholesterol diet. The primary uses of simvastatin are to treat dyslipidemia and to prevent atherosclerosis-related complications such as stroke and heart attacks in those who are at high risk. In 2020, it was the thirteenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 36 million prescriptions. Simvastatin is available as a generic medication, and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It was patented by Merck in 1980, and came into medical use in 1992. Simvastatin is made from the fungus Aspergillus terreus. It is in the statin class of medications and works by decreasing the manufacture of cholesterol by the liver. ![]() There is evidence of harm to the developing baby when taken during pregnancy and it should not be used by those who are breastfeeding. ![]() A lower dose may be needed in people with kidney problems. Serious side effects may include muscle breakdown, liver problems, and increased blood sugar levels. Ĭommon side effects include constipation, headaches, and nausea. It is also used to decrease the risk of heart problems in those at high risk. It is used along with exercise, diet, and weight loss to decrease elevated lipid levels. Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor among others, is a statin, a type of lipid-lowering medication.
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