Simvastatin, is an effective cholesterol-lowering prescription medicine. Patients using Simvastatin often experience positive results in as little as 2 weeks. Simvastatin is used together with a low cholesterol diet and exercise. Simvastatin effects both ?bad? and ?good? cholesterol, reducing the former and increasing the latter.

USES: This medication is used to lower high cholesterol levels and is administered in addition to a cholesterol-lowering diet and exercise in order to get the full benefit it provides.

HOW TO USE
The usual starting dose is 20mg once a day in the evening unless otherwise directed. If cholesterol levels are especially high, your doctor may prescribe a dose of 40mg. Doses can be adjusted every 4 weeks. Some people with severe, hereditary high cholesterol may be prescribed as much as 80mg per day taken in different doses.

SIDE EFFECTS
Most common side effects are abdominal pain and headaches. Less common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, gas, muscle weakness with rash, nausea, upper respiratory infection, upset stomach and general weakness. If any of these symptoms persist or increase in intensity, notify your doctor promptly.

PRECAUTIONS
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially drug allergies, active liver disease or if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Because Simvastatin may damage the liver, your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver enzyme levels before you start taking the drug. It is advisable to take blood tests at periodic intervals and if your liver enzyme levels rise too high, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the medication. This drug may cause damage to muscle tissue so be sure to tell your doctor of any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness or pain immediately, especially if accompanied by fever or sickness. If you are scheduled for major surgery, your doctor will have you stop taking the medication a few days before the operation.
IMPORTANT: You must not become pregnant while taking this drug, which lowers cholesterol needed for a baby to develop properly. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, notify your doctor immediately. Do not breastfeed while taking this drug as this could cause severe adverse effects in a nursing baby.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
This medication tends to enhance the effects of blood-thinning drugs and heart medications and combining it with these drugs can increase the chance of muscle damage. Intake of large quantities of grapefruit juice is also not recommended. If you are taking drugs from the above mentioned groups, or any drugs, alert your doctor immediately.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your doctor or local poison control center immediately.

NOTES
Do not share this medication with others. This medication is intended to be taken together with a low cholesterol diet and exercise.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose take it as soon as possible but if it is near the time of the next dose do not ?double up?.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature (77 degrees F, 25 degrees C), away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

IMPORTANT NOTE
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that taking this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

* Illustrations are for graphic purposes only and the ordered medication may differ in appearance.