Product Information
Registration Status: ActiveKARDAK 20 FILM-COATED TABLET 20mg is approved to be sold in Singapore with effective from 2013-05-12. It is marketed by APOTHECA MARKETING PTE LTD, with the registration number of SIN14453P.
This product contains Simvastatin 20mg in the form of TABLET, FILM-COATED. It is approved for ORAL use.
This product is manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma LTD (Unit lll) in INDIA.
It is a Prescription Only Medicine that can only be obtained from a doctor or a dentist, or a pharmacist with a prescription from a Singapore-registered doctor or dentist.
Description
Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent that is derived synthetically from the fermentation of Aspergillus terreus. It is a potent competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (hydroxymethylglutaryl COA reductases), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It may also interfere with steroid hormone production. Due to the induction of hepatic LDL receptors, it increases breakdown of LDL cholesterol. [PubChem]
Indication
For the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and for the reduction in the risk of cardiac heart disease mortality and cardiovascular events. It can also be used in adolescent patients for the treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Mechanism of Action
Simvastatin is a prodrug in which the 6-membered lactone ring of simvastatin is hydrolyzed in vivo to generate the beta,delta-dihydroxy acid, an active metabolite structurally similar to HMG-CoA (hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA). Once hydrolyzed, simvastatin competes with HMG-CoA for HMG-CoA reductase, a hepatic microsomal enzyme. Interference with the activity of this enzyme reduces the quantity of mevalonic acid, a precursor of cholesterol.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Absorption of simvastatin, estimated relative to an intravenous reference dose, in each of two animal species tested, averaged about 85% of an oral dose. In animal studies, after oral dosing, simvastatin achieved substantially higher concentrations in the liver than in non-target tissues. However, because simvastatin undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism, the availability of the drug in the systemic is low. Peak plasma concentration occurs 1.3 - 2.4 hours after administration.
- Distribution
- Simvastatin can cross the blood-brain-barrier.
- Metabolism
- Hepatic, simvastatin is a substrate for CYP3A4. The major active metabolites of simvastatin are β-hydroxyacid metabolite and its 6'-hydroxy, 6'-hydroxymethyl, and 6'-exomethylene derivatives
- Elimination
Toxicity
The most common adverse reactions that lead to discontinuation of therapy include gastrointestinal disorders (0.5%), myalgia (0.1%), and arthralgia (0.1%).
Active Ingredient/Synonyms
2,2-Dimethylbutyric acid, 8-ester with (4R,6R)-6-(2-((1S,2S,6R,8S,8ar)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-1-naphthyl)ethyl)tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one | Simvastatin | Simvastatina | Simvastatine | Simvastatinum | Synvinolin | Simvastatin |
Source of information: Drugbank (External Link). Last updated on: 3rd July 18. *Trade Name used in the content below may not be the same as the HSA-registered product.