Millions of people who have high cholesterol take a statin medication to lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Simlup (simvastatin) is a statin that has been linked to severe side effects, including muscle toxicity, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, and even death. The FDA has published multiple warnings about simvastatin in response to numerous studies and adverse event reports.
Simlup Overview
Simlup (simvastatin) belongs to one of the most popular classes of medications in the world — statins, which are used to reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol, and thereby lower a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening heart diseases.
Simlup and other statins work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase, which the liver uses to convert food into Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Simlup and FDA Warnings
Over the last few years, a growing amount of research has linked the use of high-dose simvastatin to muscle toxicity. The FDA has warned that the risk of muscle toxicity increases with higher doses of simvastatin. On June 8, 2011, the FDA published a Safety Communication to restrict the highest dose of simvastatin from 80-mg to 40-mg. A few months later, on December 15, 2011, the FDA published another Safety Communication to restrict the dose of simvastatin to 20-mg when it is taken in addition to amiodarone.
Simlup and Muscle Disease
Taking high doses of Simlup for more than a year is associated with a higher risk of muscle disease, including a severe degenerative muscle disease called rhabdomyolysis. Approximately 4.9 people per 100,000 patients taking simvastatin are hospitalized for rhabdomyolysis, according to the FDA.
Rhabdomyolysis is a muscle disease characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibers. These fibers release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. The kidneys have problems filtering myoglobin, and excessive amounts of myoglobin can cause kidney damage and kidney failure.
Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include:
- Muscle pain, stiffness, swelling, cramping, or soreness
- Dark-colored urine, decreased urine output
- Fatigue
- Elevated creatine kinase enzyme in the blood
Simlup Side Effects
If you have suffered a severe Simlup side effect, you may be eligible to file a Simlup lawsuit for your injuries. Side effects may include:
- Muscle toxicity
- Myopathy
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Kidney damage, failure
- Liver injury
- Type-2 diabetes
- Death
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