Simvastin

[croyde]

I have been on Simvastin since a heart attack in 2009 along with other heart meds and feel fine but I noticed a banner headline in the Express yesterday that claimed that they have found health risks especially when taken with the other medicines that I have to take.

Has anyone else seen this?

I know the papers love these kind of stories and as this affects a lot of people yet I would of thought that our doctors would have been in touch.

I'll have to call him on Monday I suppose.

[grumbledoak]

I saw that, too. Happily not on statins (any more, after my optician noticed eye damage).

I think there is a whole world of bad news yet to come on this new wonder drug. Best speak to your pusher.

[968]

grumbledoak said:

I saw that, too. Happily not on statins (any more, after my optician noticed eye damage).

I think there is a whole world of bad news yet to come on this new wonder drug. Best speak to your pusher.

Really?? What damage did the optician note?

[Porkbrain]

croyde said:

I know the papers love these kind of stories and as this affects a lot of people yet I would of thought that our doctors would have been in touch.

I collected a repeat prescription of Simvastin last week, the pharmacist said that my GP would be in touch soon to tell me to stop taking them as they had received 'new information' about Simvastin.

[trando]

I'm on atorvastatin which *I think* is slightly different from simvastatin but does anyone know if it is affected by this rumour as well?

[SPR2]

What did it actually say ?

[Farmerpalmer]

see MHRA warning
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Safetywar...

Many patients are on this combination, and anytime soon GP's will be changing doses of simvastatin for their patients.
potentially a very serious interaction.

[croyde]

Damn! they have helped me not to be too strict about what I eat as they have been keeping my Cholesterol down to 4.0 when it was 6.9.

That warning does not mention the other drugs that I am on, namely Aspirin, Bisoprolol and Ramipril.

[jas xjr]

One thing I heard a while back was that whilst the drug reduces cholesterol it can give the patients aches and pains in their joints thus reducing the ability to exercise .
The doubts about this drug have been around for a while . I was prescribed it but never took it . I changed my diet a little

[968]

jas xjr said:

One thing I heard a while back was that whilst the drug reduces cholesterol it can give the patients aches and pains in their joints thus reducing the ability to exercise .
The doubts about this drug have been around for a while . I was prescribed it but never took it . I changed my diet a little

Myopathy and myalgia have been known about for years. Simvastatin is not a very effective medicine, I think Lipitor is much more effective.

[sparkyhx]

968 said:

jas xjr said:

One thing I heard a while back was that whilst the drug reduces cholesterol it can give the patients aches and pains in their joints thus reducing the ability to exercise .
The doubts about this drug have been around for a while . I was prescribed it but never took it . I changed my diet a little

Myopathy and myalgia have been known about for years. Simvastatin is not a very effective medicine, I think Lipitor is much more effective.

but they had a mass removal of people from other statins a few years ago ................cos it was cheaper to use simvastatin

[968]

sparkyhx said:

but they had a mass removal of people from other statins a few years ago ................cos it was cheaper to use simvastatin

Yeah, go figure. If it was me I'd want Lipitor.

[jas xjr]

968 said:

Yeah, go figure. If it was me I'd want Lipitor.

You can do that as you understand what is going on .
I have to trust my doctor

[968]

jas xjr said:

You can do that as you understand what is going on .
I have to trust my doctor

You can have a discussion with him/her about the best option for you.

[Paul Dishman]

968 said:

sparkyhx said:

but they had a mass removal of people from other statins a few years ago ................cos it was cheaper to use simvastatin

Yeah, go figure. If it was me I'd want Lipitor.

Lipitor came off patent in the summer and the price has decreased by 90%, its still more expensive than Simvastatin but not signifcantly so

[sparkyhx]

jas xjr said:

968 said:

Yeah, go figure. If it was me I'd want Lipitor.

You can do that as you understand what is going on .
I have to trust my doctor

I'm pretty sure I was on Lipitor cos the doc said it was the best - then the PCT ordered everyone onto Simvastatin - looks like might be back to stage 1.

[jas xjr]

968 said:

You can have a discussion with him/her about the best option for you.

the trouble is that the practice i go to is like a clinic . i rarely see the same doctor twice

[968]

jas xjr said:

the trouble is that the practice i go to is like a clinic . i rarely see the same doctor twice

So have the conversation with the next doctor you see.

[jas xjr]

968 said:

So have the conversation with the next doctor you see.

Going on Monday , I have a new problem to discuss

[Mermaid]

968 said:

Yeah, go figure. If it was me I'd want Lipitor.

or Fenofibrate?