Simvastatin 20mg

Simvastatin Mylan general information

What is Simvastatin Mylan used for?

Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg are used to treat primary hypercholesterolaemia to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood and reduce risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina, that can be caused by high cholesterol.  There are usually no symptoms for high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited (familial hypercholesterolaemia).  Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg are used in the absence of symptoms in conjunction with a low-fat diet, if diet alone is not sufficient to lower cholesterol levels.  Simvastatin Mylan 20 is also used to prevent the progression of CHD, if symptoms are already present; also, to treat people with diabetes or history of stroke, to reduce the need for surgery, and reduce the risk of stroke or peripheral vascular disease.  

How does Simvastatin Mylan work?

Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg contain simvastatin which belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowing medications called statins.  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body.  However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease.  Simvastatin in Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg reduces the production of cholesterol by the liver by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.  Cholesterol is released into the blood as low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) to distribute cholesterol around the body; high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) picks up excess cholesterol from the arteries and returns it to the liver to be disposed of or re-used.  Simvastatin in Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg lowers levels of LDL-C, which is known as the “bad” cholesterol as it can cause blocked arteries, and also increases levels of HDL-C, which is known as the “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries.  Simvastatin in Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg only inhibits production of cholesterol that is synthesised in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg. 

What does Simvastatin Mylan contain?

Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg contains the active ingredient simvastatin, which is a cholesterol-lowing medication belonging to the group of drugs called statins, used to lower high cholesterol to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, ascorbic acid, citric acid monohydrate, pregelatinised maize starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, butylated hydroxytoluene, isopropyl alcohol, purified water, Hypromellose, purified talc, titanium dioxide, macrogol 400, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide

Treating high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) with Simvastatin Mylan

Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg are used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), which can increase risk of heart disease.  Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body.  However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease.  Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg are used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood, by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver where it inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.  Simvastatin in Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Simvastatin Mylan-20. 

Lowering Cholesterol with Simvastatin Mylan

Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg contain the cholesterol-lowing statin medication simvastatin, which is used to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol.  Simvastatin in Simvastatin Mylan-20 reduces the production of cholesterol by the liver by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.  Simvastatin Mylan-20 lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked, and also increases levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries.  There are usually no symptoms when you have high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited.   

Effects of alcohol and grapefruit on Simvastatin Mylan-20

Alcohol if drunk is large quantities may increase the risk of liver problems when taking Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg.  Grapefruit juice in large quantities (more than one litre a day) can also increase risk of side effects as it increases the amount of Simvastatin Mylan 20 that gets into your blood. 

What are the side effects of Simvastatin Mylan?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg include constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, reflux, muscle ache, tenderness or weakness, not caused by exercise (asthenia).  More serious side effects are less common and may include tingling in the hands or feet (paraesthesia), insomnia, fever, skin rash, itchiness, hives, painful, swollen joints, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), anaemia.

When should Simvastatin Mylan not be used?

You should not use Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to simvastatin or any ingredients in Simvastatin Mylan
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have active liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Simvastatin Mylan including macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, ritonavir for HIV, itraconazole and ketoconazole use to treat fungal infection, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, digoxin for heart failure, antacids for indigestion, anticoagulants such as coumarin, verapamil or diltiazem for high blood pressure, angina, or other heart conditions, the antiarrhythmic amiodarone, some contraceptives.

What medications interact with Simvastatin Mylan?

Several medications interact with Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Simvastatin Mylan or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Simvastatin Mylan: macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, fusidic acid, HIV protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole use to treat fungal infection
• Drugs that affect Simvastatin Mylan: other cholesterol lowering medication such as gemfibrozil, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, verapamil or diltiazem for high blood pressure, angina, or other heart conditions, the antiarrhythmic amiodarone, used to treat irregular heartbeat, anticoagulants such as warfarin
• Drugs that are affected by Simvastatin Mylan: digoxin for heart failure; oral contraceptives

How should Simvastatin Mylan be taken?

You should take your Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg with a glass of water once a day, preferably in the evening after your evening meal, although you can take Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg with or without food.  Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg are most effective at night when your body is resting, and your liver is producing the most cholesterol.  You should continue to take Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life as Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg help keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg, your cholesterol levels may rise again.

How long should you take Simvastatin Mylan?

You should continue to take Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life as Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg help keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg, your cholesterol levels may rise again.

Missed dose of Simvastatin Mylan

If you miss a dose of Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Simvastatin Mylan be stored?

You should store your Simvastatin Mylan tablets 20mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.