SIM HDL 20MG TAB (Simvastatin 20 mg)

INTRODUCTION

SIMHDL 20MG contains Simvastatin which belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It is used to reduce elevated levels of cholesterol (LDL or bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood. Cholesterol is type of a fatty substance found in the bloodstream. It mainly consists of low-density lipoprotein (LDL; bad cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL; good cholesterol) and triglycerides.

SIMHDL 20MG can be used in conditions such as primary hypercholesterolaemia (increased blood cholesterol levels), mixed hyperlipidaemia (increased fat levels in the blood), homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (a hereditary cholesterol disease), coronary heart disease or if at risk of any heart disease (such as diabetes, history of stroke, or other any cardiovascular disease) in addition with your cholesterol lowering diet.

Simvastatin works by reducing the elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. It also increases the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and prolongs your life by reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Along with the treatment, your doctor might recommend you eat a low-fat diet with regular physical exercise. Before prescribing this medicine, your doctor may take several blood tests to analyze your condition and would regularly monitor your liver function to avoid unwanted side effects. Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may reduce its effectiveness.

While taking this medicine, inform your doctor immediately if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness as it could be a serious side effect, including muscle breakdown and kidney damage. Your doctor might reduce your dose or suggest an alternative therapy. Avoid concomitant use of this medicine with oral fusidic acid and lomitapide as it may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis (a serious muscle problems).

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may alters the absorption of simvastatin in your body. Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have lung, kidney or liver disease. SIMHDL 20MG is strictly not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children aged below 10 years. Consult your doctor for advice before taking.

USES OF SIMHDL 20MG

• Treats high cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides levels in the blood
• Reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke

HOW SIMHDL 20MG WORKS

SIMHDL 20MG works by blocking an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase which is used to make cholesterol in the liver. When that enzyme is blocked less cholesterol is produced thus reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood. It lowers the level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol), and raises high density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good” cholesterol) levels.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take this medicine as directed by your physician. It can be taken with or without meals preferably in the evening. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a sip of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and health condition.

If you are taking any bile acid sequestrants along with SIMHDL 20MG, take this medicine at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid sequestrants. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF SIMHDL 20MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or vomiting:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Flatulence:

Eat smaller and frequent meals. Eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. If the symptoms get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Constipation:

Eat fibre rich foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any medicines without speaking to a doctor.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

Headache:  

Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

• Oral fusidic acid (used to treat bacterial infection)
• Ciclosporin (used to prevent graft rejection)
• Danazol (used to treat endometriosis)
• Medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole or voriconazole)
• Medicines used to treat bacterial infection (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin or telithromycin)
• Medicines used to treat HIV infection such as HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir)
• Medicines used to treat hepatitis C virus infection (e.g. boceprevir, telaprevir, elbasvir or grazoprevir)
• Medicines used to treat heart problems such as high blood pressure, chest pain, irregular heartbeat (e.g. amiodarone, verapamil, diltiazem or amlodipine)
• Medicines used to prevent blood clots (e.g. warfarin, phenprocoumon or acenocoumarol)
• Other medicines used to reduce blood cholesterol levels (e.g. gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, niacin and bezafibrate)
• Nefazodone (used to treat depression and other mental illness)
• Cobicistat (used to increase the amount of atazanavir in the body)
• Lomitapide (used to treat a rare and serious genetic cholesterol condition)
• Daptomycin (used to treat blood infection and serious skin infection)
• Colchicine (used to treat gout)
• Ticagrelor (antiplatelet medicine that reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke)
• Rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)