Statins are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs. This week, learn about the dental implications of Simvastatin, one of the more popular statins on the market:
Generic Name: Simvastatin
Brand Name(s): Zocor
Pronunciation: SIM va sta tin
About this drug:
Simvastatins is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) used to lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels.
It also lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart issues in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.
Dentistry-related tidbits:
Simvastatin may cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet count, which can lead to increased bleeding).
Do not prescribe the macrolide antibiotics Clarithromycin and Erythromycin, as the combination can decrease the risk of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and increased Simvastatin levels.
Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Alprazolam, Chlorzoxazone, and common antifungals can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when combined with Simvastatin. Make sure to check for potential interactions before prescribing using a tool like Rx Check.
Simvastatin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, increased bleeding, and headache, especially in the elderly.
Fun facts:
A 2023 Stanford study published in Nature found that Simvastatin prevents a protein called YAP from entering the nucleus, ultimately influencing gene expression related to the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, a process linked to diseases and abnormal cell growth, including cancer. Endothelial cells make up the lining of blood vessels, but in many diseases they transform into mesenchymal cells, which are less functional and make tissues stiffer so they cannot relax or contract correctly. Essentially, Simvastatin improves vascular function by preventing the healthy endothelial cells from becoming damaged.
In 2021, nearly 8 million patients in the U.S. took Simvastatin, totaling at 30.5 million prescriptions.
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