Simvastatin
Lipid-lowering medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor among others, is a statin, a type of lipid-lowering medication.[4] It is used along with exercise, diet, and weight loss to decrease elevated lipid levels.[4] It is also used to decrease the risk of heart problems in those at high risk.[4] It is taken by mouth.[4]
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Pronunciation | /ˈsɪmvəstætɪn/ |
Trade names | Zocor, other |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a692030 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Bioavailability | 5% |
Protein binding | 95% |
Metabolism | Liver (CYP3A4) |
Elimination half-life | 2 hours for simvastatin and 1.9 hours for simvastatin acid |
Excretion | Kidney 13%, faecal 60% |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.115.749 |
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Formula | C25H38O5 |
Molar mass | 418.574 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include constipation, headaches, and nausea.[4] Serious side effects may include muscle breakdown, liver problems, and increased blood sugar levels.[4] A lower dose may be needed in people with kidney problems.[4] There is evidence of harm to the developing baby when taken during pregnancy[4][5] and it should not be used by those who are breastfeeding.[4] It is in the statin class of medications and works by decreasing the manufacture of cholesterol by the liver.[4]
Simvastatin is made from the fungus Aspergillus terreus.[6] It was patented by Merck in 1980, and came into medical use in 1992.[6][7] Simvastatin is available as a generic medication,[4] and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] In 2021, it was the sixteenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 30 million prescriptions.[9][10]