Simvastatin

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Simvastatin, a class I statin.

Simvastatin is a methylated derivative of lovastatin used treat hypercholesterolemia, to prevent heart attacks and strokes, and to diminish athlerosclorosis. It is effective in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol as well as plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein B. It inhibits the function of hydroxymethylglutaryl COA reductases, key enzymes in the production of cholesterol. It also increases LDL catabolism and may interfere with steroid production. It is structurally and functionally similar to the other class I statins mevastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin. Both the drug and its -hydroxyacid metabolite are highly bound (approximately 95%) to human plasma proteins. is effective in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol as well as plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein B. Alcohol and grapefruit juice should be avoided when taking this medication.

Its IUPAC chemical name is [(1S,3R,7S,8S,8aR)-8-[2-[(2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-6-oxooxan-2-yl]ethyl]-3,7-dimethyl 1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl] 2,2-dimethylbutanoate and its chemical formula is C₂₅H₃₈O₅.

Brand names

External links

The most up-to-date information about Simvastatin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Simvastatin - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Simvastatin - Drug information for consumers from MedMaster (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Simvastatin - Detailed information from DrugBank.