Simvastatin how long to take effect

If you stop taking simvastatin without starting a different treatment, your cholesterol level may rise again. You may have read negative stories about statins, but they're thought to be very safe, effective medicines. Statins are thought to have very few side effects.

Sometimes the side effects that people report aren't related to their medicine. However, if you're concerned about the safety of statins, talk to your doctor.

Simvastatin is safe to take for a long time. In fact, it works best if you take it for a long time. No, there's no evidence that simvastatin is addictive. You will not get any withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. You may want to stop simvastatin if you think you're having side effects. Talk to your doctor first to see if it really is a side effect of simvastatin or an unrelated problem. Your doctor may decide to lower your dose or change your medicine. You will not get any withdrawal symptoms.

However, stopping simvastatin may cause your cholesterol to rise. This increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you want to stop taking your medicine, it's important to find another way to lower your cholesterol.

There's some interest in taking CoQ10 together with statins. However there's no firm evidence that taking CoQ10 at the same time as simvastatin will benefit your health. More research is needed. If you decide to take a CoQ10 supplement, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Supplements can interfere with other medicines you may also be taking. If you're at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, taking statins may slightly increase this risk.

This is because statins can raise your blood sugar a little. Speak to your doctor, who will be able to explain how the benefits of taking statins are likely to outweigh this small increased risk. If you already have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may advise monitoring your blood sugar levels more closely for the first few months.

Tell your doctor or diabetes nurse if you find it harder to control your blood sugar. Statins all work in the same way, but they differ in how well they lower cholesterol. There are several other statin medicines for lowering your cholesterol, including:. If you have a side effect with one statin, it may not happen with another. Some medicines don't mix well with one statin, but you can take them with a different one.

Your doctor will find the right statin and dose for you, depending on your medical history, cholesterol level and the other medicines you take. Occasionally, simvastatin can make you feel dizzy.

If this happens to you, do not drive, cycle or use machines or tools until you feel better. There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking simvastatin will reduce fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant. Simvastatin won't affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. However, drinking a lot of alcohol may increase the chances of you getting muscle and liver side effects. As with any medication, a person should take it according to their prescription. They should also tell a doctor if they notice any side effects.

Fasting before taking a cholesterol test used to be standard practice. Now, some doctors recommend that people do not fast before taking the test…. Statins are drugs that can reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Learn about the types, their uses, and the risks of taking statins here.

In this article, learn about the different kinds of cholesterol, what different factors affect cholesterol levels, and when to contact a doctor. In this article, we look at a variety of lifestyle changes and natural supplements that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart…. Most types of cheese are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Studies provide conflicting information about the relationship between cheese and….

What is the best time to take statins and why? Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. What statins do Best times to take Which statin is right for me? Side effects Staying healthy Summary Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs. What do statins do? Share on Pinterest Statins can help manage cholesterol levels.

Best time to take different statins. Which statin is right for me? Share on Pinterest A person can discuss the different types of statins with a doctor. Side effects of statins.

How to stay healthy when taking statins. Share on Pinterest Regular exercise can help lower the risk of heart disease. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking simvastatin. Grapefruit juice can increase simvastatin levels in your body and increase the risk of side effects. For people with low thyroid function hypothyroidism or diabetes: Simvastatin and other statin drugs can sometimes cause rhabdomyolysis.

Having hypothyroidism or diabetes raises your risk for this condition. Other risk factors include:. For pregnant women: Simvastatin is a category X pregnancy drug. Category X drugs should never be used during pregnancy. They can discuss other treatment options during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about other cholesterol treatment options while breastfeeding. For people of Chinese descent: The risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is higher when the drug is taken with niacin in larger doses.

In addition, according to the FDA , the risk of myopathy is greater in people of Chinese descent. For more information about these risks, talk with your doctor. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it may depend on:. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we can not guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Simvastatin is used for long-term treatment. If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take the next dose as scheduled. How can I tell if the drug is working: Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be within healthy levels while taking it.

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Your doctor may perform a baseline liver function test an initial liver function test that is repeated in a few months.

They may also do additional liver and kidney function tests during treatment. There are other drugs available to treat your condition.

Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Take simvastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you will be taking the simvastatin suspension, do not use a household teaspoon to measure your dose. Household teaspoons are not accurate measuring devices, and you may receive too much medication or not enough medication if you measure your dose with a household teaspoon. Instead, use a properly marked measuring device such as a medicine spoon or oral syringe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help getting or using a measuring device.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of simvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 weeks. Continue to take simvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking simvastatin without talking to your doctor. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

This medication may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Store the suspension at room temperature. Do not freeze or refrigerate the suspension. Be sure to use the suspension within 30 days of opening the bottle and discard any remaining medication after 30 days.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.