It can also increase side effects, including rhabdomyolysis. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Can taking simvastatin increase my risk of diabetes? Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. In rare cases, simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. We explain the rules for ambulance service and Medicare. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Statins are a class of drugs that lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels in the body by preventing production in the liver, where the majority of the…. New research shows more people can benefit from taking statins than previously believed, including people over 75 years old. Do not use if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Combo 'Polypill' May Cut Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Up to 40%, Computer 'Nudge' Spurs Doctors to Prescribe Statins to Heart Patients. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. These drugs should not be used with simvastatin. They can discuss other treatment options during pregnancy. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. While you take simvastatin, your doctor will want to make sure that it isn’t affecting your liver and kidneys. Brand Name: Zocor. If treatment with these drugs is required, the use of simvastatin must be on hold during the course of treatment. Statins Can Reduce Risk of a Heart Attack for Adults of All Ages, The 12 Best Nursery Gliders to Complete Your Baby’s Room, Providence Medicare Advantage: A Guide to Your 2021 Plan Options, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Taking too much of this medication may cause serious or life-threatening side effects. There is a small risk of increased blood sugar levels and even diabetes from taking simvastatin. liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Grapefruit juice can increase simvastatin levels in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Are Statin Side Effects 'All in Your Head'? Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to simvastatin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. When taken with warfarin, simvastatin can increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin. Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes simvastatin for you. Simvastatin side effects (in more detail). Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. If you already have diabetes, your doctor should regularly check your blood sugar level. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6105/simvastatin-oral/details They belong to a group of drugs called statins. Your doctor should also regularly check your hemoglobin A1C level, which can indicate if your average blood sugar level has been high over an extend period (2–3 months). You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Store the tablets between 41°F and 86°F (5°C to 30°C). Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg; Dosage for high cholesterol. If you’re pregnant and need treatment for high cholesterol or triglycerides, talk to your doctor. Is Repatha (evolocumab) effective without a statin. They also reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides moving through the body. muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back; trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing; or. Your doctor may discuss other medication options or lower your dosage of simvastatin. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. This medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Available for Android and iOS devices. Simvastatin is used to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to …