What should I assess before giving simvastatin?

Assess any joint pain, muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever, malaise, and dark-colored urine. Advise patient that these symptoms may represent drug-induced myopathy and that myopathy can progress to severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).

What do Antihyperlipidemics do?

Lipid-lowering agents also known as cholesterol-lowering, hypolipidemic, or antihyperlipidemic agents are a group of drugs used to reduce high levels of lipids (fats) and lipoproteins (fats with protein) in the blood.

Which Antilipemic agent is most potent?

The hydroxymethylglutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are the most potent, best tolerated and most widely used cholesterol lowering agents and represent some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.

How do bile acid sequestrants increase triglycerides?

The bile acid sequestrants bind to these acids, reducing their supply. In turn, this stimulates the liver to produce more bile acids, which uses more cholesterol. Unfortunately, the resins can increase triglyceride levels.

What are the nursing considerations for statins?

Statins are generally avoided in breastfeeding mothers, due to the lack of evidence in relation to safety. There is significant negative press about the side effects of statins. Possible side effects include myalgia, myopathy, myositis, and rhabdomyolysis. Myalgia is commonly reported while the latter are rare.

What should you avoid while taking simvastatin?

Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1 quart each day) while taking this medicine may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with simvastatin. This could cause unwanted effects on the liver.

What are Antidyslipidemic drugs?

Current antidyslipidemia drugs include statins, fibrates, niacin, ezetimibe, and bile acid binding resins ( Table 2 ).

What are the contraindications of fenofibrate?

Fenofibrate may interact with other medications

  • Blood-thinning drug.
  • Cholesterol drugs. Taking fenofibrate with certain cholesterol drugs called bile acid sequestrants may make it harder for your body to absorb fenofibrate.
  • Diabetes drugs.
  • Gout drug.
  • Immunosuppressants.

Which antilipemic agent can be used in pregnancy?

The only medications currently acceptable during pregnancy are bile acid sequestrants,1 since they are not systemically absorbed and therefore not felt to pose fetal risk. Use is limited due to side effects of elevated triglycerides and constipation.

What drugs are contraindicated with statins?

Some drugs that may interact with statins and increase your risk of side effects include:

  • Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), a medication for irregular heart rhythms.
  • Gemfibrozil (Lopid), another variety of cholesterol drug.
  • HIV treatments called protease inhibitors such as saquinavir (Invirase) and ritonavir (Norvir)