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Content
Heart Disease
Heart Attack
Congestive Heart Failure
Generic Drugs
Alternative Heart Disease Treatment |
Heart Disease
Generic Drugs Zocor
From Merck
The involvement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in
atherogenesis has been well-documented in clinical and pathological studies, as
well as in many animal experiments. Epidemiological studies have established
that elevated plasma levels of total cholesterol (total-C), LDL-C, and
apolipoprotein B (Apo B) promote human atherosclerosis and are risk factors for
developing cardiovascular disease, while increased levels of high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its transport complex, Apo A-I, are
associated with decreased cardiovascular risk. High plasma triglycerides (TG)
and cholesterol-enriched TG-rich lipoproteins, including very-low-density
lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), and remnants, can
also promote atherosclerosis. Elevated plasma TG are frequently found in a triad
with low HDL-C and small LDL particles, as well as in association with non-lipid
metabolic risk factors for CHD. As such, total plasma TG has not consistently
been shown to be an independent risk factor for CHD. Furthermore, the
independent effect of raising HDL-C or lowering TG on the risk of coronary and
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.
In the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S), the effect of improving
lipoprotein levels with ZOCOR on total mortality was assessed in 4,444 patients
with CHD and baseline total cholesterol (total-C) 212-309 mg/dL (5.5-8.0 mmol/L).
The patients were followed for a median of 5.4 years. In this multicenter,
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ZOCOR significantly reduced
the risk of mortality by 30% (11.5% vs 8.2%, placebo vs ZOCOR); of CHD mortality
by 42% (8.5% vs 5.0%); and of having a hospital-verified non-fatal myocardial
infarction by 37% (19.6% vs 12.9%). Furthermore, ZOCOR significantly reduced the
risk for undergoing myocardial revascularization procedures (coronary artery
bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) by 37% (17.2%
vs 11.4%) .
ZOCOR has been shown to reduce both normal and elevated LDL-C concentrations.
LDL is formed from very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and is catabolized
predominantly by the high-affinity LDL receptor. The mechanism of the LDL-lowering
effect of ZOCOR may involve both reduction of VLDL cholesterol concentration,
and induction of the LDL receptor, leading to reduced production and/or
increased catabolism of LDL-C. Apo B also falls substantially during treatment
with ZOCOR. As each LDL particle contains one molecule of Apo B, and since in
patients with predominant elevations in LDL-C (without accompanying elevation in
VLDL) little Apo B is found in other lipoproteins, this strongly suggests that
ZOCOR does not merely cause cholesterol to be lost from LDL, but also reduces
the concentration of circulating LDL particles. In addition, ZOCOR reduces VLDL
and TG and increases HDL-C. The effects of ZOCOR on Lp(a), fibrinogen, and
certain other independent biochemical risk markers for CHD are unknown.
ZOCOR is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes
the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. The conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate
is an early step in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol.
Pharmacokinetics
Simvastatin is a lactone that is readily hydrolyzed in vivo to the corresponding
b-hydroxyacid, a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Inhibition of HMG-CoA
reductase is the basis for an assay in pharmacokinetic studies of the b-hydroxyacid
metabolites (active inhibitors) and, following base hydrolysis, active plus
latent inhibitors (total inhibitors) in plasma following administration of
simvastatin.
Following an oral dose of 14C-labeled simvastatin in man, 13% of the dose was
excreted in urine and 60% in feces. The latter represents absorbed drug
equivalents excreted in bile, as well as any unabsorbed drug. Plasma
concentrations of total radioactivity (simvastatin plus 14C-metabolites) peaked
at 4 hours and declined rapidly to about 10% of peak by 12 hours postdose.
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. Simvastatin undergoes
extensive first-pass extraction in the liver, its primary site of action, with
subsequent excretion of drug equivalents in the bile. As a consequence of
extensive hepatic extraction of simvastatin (estimated to be > 60% in man), the
availability of drug to the general circulation is low. In a single-dose study
in nine healthy subjects, it was estimated that less than 5% of an oral dose of
simvastatin reaches the general circulation as active inhibitors. Following
administration of simvastatin tablets, the coefficient of variation, based on
between-subject variability, was approximately 48% for the area under the
concentration-time curve (AUC) for total inhibitory activity in the general
circulation.
Both simvastatin and its b-hydroxyacid metabolite are highly bound
(approximately 95%) to human plasma proteins. Animal studies have not been
performed to determine whether simvastatin crosses the blood-brain and placental
barriers. However, when radiolabeled simvastatin was administered to rats,
simvastatin-derived radioactivity crossed the blood-brain barrier.
The major active metabolites of simvastatin present in human plasma are the b-hydroxyacid
of simvastatin and its 6¢-hydroxy, 6¢-hydroxymethyl, and 6¢-exomethylene
derivatives. Peak plasma concentrations of both active and total inhibitors were
attained within 1.3 to 2.4 hours postdose. While the recommended therapeutic
dose range is 5 to 80 mg/day, there was no substantial deviation from linearity
of AUC of inhibitors in the general circulation with an increase in dose to as
high as 120 mg. Relative to the fasting state, the plasma profile of inhibitors
was not affected when simvastatin was administered immediately before an
American Heart Association recommended low-fat meal.
In a study including 16 elderly patients between 70 and 78 years of age who
received ZOCOR 40 mg/day, the mean plasma level of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory
activity was increased approximately 45% compared with 18 patients between 18-30
years of age. Clinical study experience in the elderly (n=1522), suggests that
there were no overall differences in safety between elderly and younger
patients.
Kinetic studies with another reductase inhibitor, having a similar principal
route of elimination, have suggested that for a given dose level higher systemic
exposure may be achieved in patients with severe renal insufficiency (as
measured by creatinine clearance).
In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, simvastatin at the 80-mg dose had no effect
on the metabolism of the probe cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates
midazolam and erythromycin. This indicates that simvastatin is not an inhibitor
of CYP3A4, and, therefore, is not expected to affect the plasma levels of other
drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
The risk of myopathy is increased by high levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory
activity in plasma. Potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 can raise the plasma levels of
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity and increase the risk of myopathy.
Simvastatin is a substrate for CYP3A4 (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions).
Grapefruit juice contains one or more components that inhibit CYP3A4 and can
increase the plasma concentrations of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. In one
study2, 10 subjects consumed 200 mL of double-strength grapefruit juice (one can
of frozen concentrate diluted with one rather than 3 cans of water) three times
daily for 2 days and an additional 200 mL double-strength grapefruit juice
together with and 30 and 90 minutes following a single dose of 60 mg simvastatin
on the third day. This regimen of grapefruit juice resulted in mean increases in
the concentration (as measured by the area under the concentration-time curve)
of active and total HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity [measured using a
radioenzyme inhibition assay both before (for active inhibitors) and after (for
total inhibitors) base hydrolysis] of 2.4-fold and 3.6-fold, respectively, and
of simvastatin and its b-hydroxyacid metabolite [measured using a chemical assay
—liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry] of 16-fold and 7-fold,
respectively. In a second study, 16 subjects consumed one 8 o glass of
single-strength grapefruit juice (one can of frozen concentrate diluted with 3
cans of water) with breakfast for 3 consecutive days and a single dose of 20 mg
simvastatin in the evening of the third day. This regimen of grapefruit juice
resulted in a mean increase in the plasma concentration (as measured by the area
under the concentration-time curve) of active and total HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitory activity [using a validated enzyme inhibition assay different from
that used in the first2 study, both before (for active inhibitors) and after
(for total inhibitors) base hydrolysis] of 1.13-fold and 1.18-fold,
respectively, and of simvastatin and its -hydroxyacid metabolite [measured
using a chemical assay — liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry] of
1.88-fold and 1.31-fold, respectively. The effect of amounts of grapefruit juice
between those used in these two studies on simvastatin pharmacokinetics has not
been studied.
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