Simvastatin Side Effects

Simvastatin is a drug that helps in lowering cholesterol to quite an extent. It belongs to a class of drugs known as the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which are also known as the statins. There are many other drugs that belong to the statin group and all these have a common mechanism of lowering the cholesterol in our body. They do this, by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver called the HMG-CoA reductase, which is necessary for the production of cholesterol. These statins also work in the blood, by reducing the total LDL or bad cholesterol and the triglycerides. They increase the amount of HDL or the good cholesterol in the blood and thus, lower the chances of coronary artery diseases which are elevated due to LDL. Thus, when simvastatin is consumed, it can prove beneficial to lower cholesterol but it also has many side effects. These simvastatin side effects are mentioned in the following paragraphs for your convenience, so take a look.

Side Effects of Simvastatin

Simvastatin is supposed to be taken strictly by prescription only and not on your own. The doses should be 5 to 80 mg/day, taken preferably in the evening. There is another cholesterol control drug known as Lipitor. When the comparison of simvastatin vs Lipitor is done, the latter is always preferred due to lesser side effects. Thus, a few drugs and medications have to be taken in proper doses to avoid their side effects on the body. Dose adjustments can be made at weekly intervals, but you need to consult your physician before you make any changes. There are many simvastatin side effects that occur mostly due to the changes in the dosage, but not everyone is prone to these. Some people may stand the side effects and some may not. Thus, find out what the simvastatin side effects are related to.

Muscle Pain
Simvastatin side effects and muscle pain go hand in hand as this is the most common side effect observed. This pain may be felt as soreness, tiredness and weakness in the muscles. When the pain is experienced it can cause very mild discomfort and if not tended, can lead to severe pain, which will interfere with daily activities like walking and climbing. Some rare cases show that statins and muscle pain have caused life-threatening muscle damage known as "rhabdomyolysis". This disorder can cause liver damage, kidney failure and then death, and it usually occurs when these drugs combine with some other drugs.

Liver Damage
Simvastatin could cause your liver to increase its production of enzymes occasionally. If the increase of these enzymes is less, continuing the drug doesn't make a difference, but if it's severe, you have to stop taking the drug. Alcohol consumption also increases the formation of cholesterol in the blood and thus, when you are taking this drug, it is best to avoid alcohol. Simvastatin and alcohol poisoning therefore cannot be treated once it has interfered with the mechanism of the drug. This can lead to further liver damage and eventually liver failure, which is mostly fatal.

Simvastatin Side Effects and Grapefruit for Digestion
There are not many digestive simvastatin side effects, but nausea, diarrhea or constipation may be observed individually. Though drinking fluids along with the medicine can be healthy, make sure you stay away from grapefruit juices, while on this medication. The reason being, when statins and grapefruit are consumed at or around the same time, the components of grapefruit prevent the enzyme systems from breaking down the drug, causing it to accumulate in high amounts. This can be very dangerous to our health and can lead to liver damage.

Other Simvastatin Side Effects
Simvastatin side effects and hair loss are also commonly observed, as simvastatin causes up to 50% lowering of blood cholesterol and also has an impact on hair growth. Since, cholesterol indirectly relates to the major hormones which contribute in the growth and maintenance of hair, lowering of it affects hair growth majorly. The fewer building blocks, the lesser is the stability of hair growth and hence, a large amount of hair loss is observed as a side effect of simvastatin. Some rare side effects can be memory loss, depression, joint pain, flatulence and upper respiratory infections.

With these simvastatin side effects, some common while the others very rare, you must have got the idea, of the strength of the drug. It is a very useful drug which is recommended by many doctors, but you cannot ignore its side effects. Thus, make sure you consult your physician and consume this drug only on prescription.