Simvastatine

About simvastatin

Lipids, or fats, are made naturally in your body from the food you eat. They are easily stored in your body and serve as a source of energy. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipid. If the concentration of these lipids in your blood becomes too high, it leads to a condition called hyperlipidaemia. If it is the concentration of cholesterol which has become too high, it is called hypercholesterolaemia. Although a high blood concentration of lipids will not make you feel ill, it can cause a problem if it is left untreated.

Les personnes présentant des taux élevés de lipides peuvent développer de petites plaques graisseuses appelées athérome. Ces plaques se développent lorsqu'un excès de graisse se dépose sur les parois des vaisseaux sanguins. Avec le temps, ces plaques peuvent rétrécir un vaisseau sanguin, ce qui est appelé athérosclérose (parfois appelée "durcissement des artères"). Ce rétrécissement réduit le flux sanguin dans l'artère et augmente le risque d'un certain nombre de maladies du cœur et des vaisseaux sanguins, telles que l'infarctus du myocarde et l'accident vasculaire cérébral.

Simvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It regulates the amount of cholesterol and other lipids made by your body. It does this by blocking the action of a certain enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) which your body needs to make the fats. This lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel disease. It can also reduce this risk, even if your cholesterol levels are normal, if you are at an increased risk of heart disease as a result of other healthcare problems (such as if you have diabetes mellitus).

Before taking simvastatin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking simvastatin it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, si vous essayez d'avoir un enfant ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement du foie ou si vous avez déjà eu une maladie qui a affecté votre foie.

• Si vous avez une glande thyroïde sous-active.

• Si vous souffrez de douleurs musculaires inexpliquées ou si vous (ou un parent proche) avez déjà souffert d'un trouble musculaire.

• Si vous consommez régulièrement de grandes quantités d'alcool.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement des reins.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This is particularly important because there are a number of medicines that should not be taken with simvastatin, and there are also some medicines that will affect the dose of simvastatin that your doctor prescribes for you. Please also make sure that your doctor knows of any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take simvastatin

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about simvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take one dose of simvastatin each day, in the evening. There are several different strengths of tablet available (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg) - your doctor will tell you which strength of tablet is right for you. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. If you have any difficulties swallowing, let your doctor know about this as a liquid medicine may be more suitable for you.

• You can take simvastatin before or after food.

• Do not drink grapefruit juice at any time while you are taking simvastatin. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice increases the amount of simvastatin in your bloodstream. This makes side-effects more likely and increases the risk of them being more serious.

• If you forget to take a dose, leave out the missed dose but make sure that you remember to take your next dose on the following evening. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so that your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have some blood tests from time to time. These are to measure your lipid levels and also to check that your liver has not been affected by taking simvastatin.

• Votre médecin vous conseillera de suivre un régime alimentaire sain, de réduire la quantité d'alcool que vous consommez habituellement, de réduire la quantité de sel dans votre alimentation, d'arrêter de fumer et de faire régulièrement de l'exercice. Le respect de ces conseils vous aidera également à réduire le risque de développer une maladie du cœur ou des vaisseaux sanguins.

• Women taking simvastatin must avoid getting pregnant. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner.

• Treatment with simvastatin is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You should continue to take it regularly.

Can simvastatin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the side-effects associated with simvastatin, although these tend to occur only rarely and are usually mild in nature. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to simvastatin, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store simvastatin

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• The oral liquid medicine may be used for one month once the bottle has been opened. After this time, get a fresh supply.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments