Simvastatin bluefish

Patient Information Leaflet

Simvastatin Bluefish, 10 mg, film-coated tablets
(Simvastatinum)
Please read all of this leaflet carefully before taking this medicine, as it contains
important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you experience any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet:

1. What Simvastatin Bluefish is and what it is used for.
2. Important information before taking Simvastatin Bluefish.
3. How to take Simvastatin Bluefish.
4. Possible side effects.
5. How to store Simvastatin Bluefish.
6. Contents of the pack and other information.

1. What Simvastatin Bluefish is and what it is used for

Simvastatin Bluefish contains the active substance simvastatin. Simvastatin Bluefish is used to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood, "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), and fatty substances called triglycerides. In addition, Simvastatin Bluefish increases the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Simvastatin Bluefish belongs to a group of medicines called statins.
Cholesterol is one of several fatty substances present in the blood. Total cholesterol mainly consists of LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol fractions.
LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of arteries, forming atherosclerotic plaques. Eventually, these plaques can narrow the arteries, thereby restricting or blocking blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain. Blocked blood flow may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent the deposition of bad cholesterol in the arteries and protects against heart disease.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood that may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease.
While taking this medicine, you should follow an appropriate diet to help lower cholesterol levels.
Simvastatin Bluefish is used together with diet in the following cases:

• elevated blood cholesterol levels (primary hypercholesterolemia) or elevated blood fat levels (mixed hyperlipidemia);
• a hereditary condition (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia) which causes high blood cholesterol levels. Other treatment methods may also be used;
• ischemic heart disease (IHD) or high risk of IHD (due to diabetes, previous stroke, or other blood vessel diseases). Simvastatin Bluefish may prolong life by reducing the risk of heart disease, regardless of blood cholesterol levels.

Most people do not experience direct symptoms of high cholesterol. Your doctor can determine your cholesterol level with a simple blood test. You should attend regular check-ups with your doctor, monitor your cholesterol levels, and discuss your treatment goals with your doctor.

2. Important information before taking Simvastatin Bluefish
When not to take Simvastatin Bluefish

• If you are allergic to simvastatin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• If you currently have liver problems.
• During pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• If you are taking one or more of the following medicines containing any of the active substances listed below:
  • itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole (used to treat fungal infections),
  • erythromycin, clarithromycin, or telithromycin (used to treat infections),
  • HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir (HIV protease inhibitors used in the treatment of HIV infection),
  • boceprevir and telaprevir (used to treat hepatitis C virus infection),
  • nefazodone (used to treat depression),
  • cobicistat,
  • gemfibrozil (used to reduce cholesterol levels),
  • cyclosporine (used in patients who have had organ transplants),
  • danazol (a synthetic hormone used to treat endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus).
• if you are currently taking or have taken within the last 7 days a medicine called fusidic acid (a medicine used to treat bacterial infections) orally or by injection. Taking fusidic acid together with Simvastatin Bluefish may lead to serious muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis).

Do not take Simvastatin Bluefish in doses higher than 40 mg if you are taking lomitapid (used to treat a severe and rare genetic cholesterol disorder).
If you are unsure whether you are taking any of the medicines listed above, consult your doctor.

Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor:

• about any medical conditions you have, including allergies,
• if you consume large amounts of alcohol,
• if you have had liver disease in the past. Taking Simvastatin Bluefish may not be appropriate.
• if you are scheduled for surgery. You may need to temporarily stop taking Simvastatin Bluefish.
• if you are of Asian descent, as a different dose may be suitable for you.

Your doctor should perform a blood test before starting Simvastatin Bluefish and during treatment if you have any liver disorders. This test will assess liver function.
Your doctor may also perform blood tests to monitor liver function after starting Simvastatin Bluefish.
While taking this medicine, your doctor will closely monitor whether you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes. The risk of developing diabetes is higher if you have high blood sugar and fat levels, overweight, or high blood pressure.
Inform your doctor if you have serious lung diseases.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In rare cases, muscle-related side effects may be serious, including muscle breakdown leading to kidney damage, and in very rare cases, death.
The risk of muscle damage is higher when taking higher doses of Simvastatin Bluefish, especially the 80 mg dose. The risk of muscle breakdown is also higher in certain patients. Talk to your doctor if:

• you consume large amounts of alcohol,
• you have kidney problems,
• you have thyroid disorders,
• you are 65 years of age or older,
• you are female,
• you have previously experienced muscle problems during treatment with cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins or fibrates,
• you or a close relative have been diagnosed with inherited muscle disorders.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if muscle weakness persists. Additional tests and possibly additional medicines may be needed to diagnose and treat this condition.

Children and adolescents
The safety and effectiveness of Simvastatin Bluefish have been studied in boys aged 10–17 years and in girls who have had menstruation for at least one year (see section 3 "How to take Simvastatin Bluefish"). Studies on the use of Simvastatin Bluefish in children under 10 years of age have not been conducted. For further information, consult your doctor.

Simvastatin Bluefish and other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking, have recently taken, or plan to take, especially those containing any of the following active substances. Taking simvastatin together with the medicines listed below increases the risk of muscle problems (some of which were mentioned in the previous section "When not to take Simvastatin Bluefish"):

• If oral fusidic acid is necessary for the treatment of a bacterial infection, you must temporarily stop taking this medicine. Your doctor will inform you when it is safe to restart Simvastatin Bluefish. Taking Simvastatin Bluefish together with fusidic acid may rarely cause muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain (rhabdomyolysis). Additional information on rhabdomyolysis can be found in section 4.
• Cyclosporine (often used in patients who have had organ transplants).
• Danazol (a synthetic hormone used to treat endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus).
• Medicines containing active substances such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole (used to treat fungal infections).
• Fibrates, containing active substances such as gemfibrozil and bezafibrate (used to reduce cholesterol levels).
• Erythromycin, clarithromycin, or telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections).
• HIV protease inhibitors, such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir (used to treat AIDS).
• Antiviral medicines used to treat hepatitis C virus infection, such as boceprevir, telaprevir, elbasvir, or grazoprevir (used to treat hepatitis C virus infection).
• Nefazodone (used to treat depression).
• Medicines containing the active substance cobicistat.
• Amiodarone (used to treat irregular heart rhythm).
• Verapamil, diltiazem, or amlodipine (used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain due to heart disease, or other heart conditions).
• Lomitapid (used to treat a severe and rare genetic cholesterol disorder).
• Colchicine (used to treat gout).

Similarly, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking, including those obtained without a prescription. It is especially important to inform your doctor about any of the following medicines you are currently taking, containing any of the following active substances:

• Medicines containing active substances that prevent blood clotting, such as warfarin, phenprocoumon, or acenocoumarol (anticoagulants).
• Fenofibrate (also used to reduce cholesterol levels).
• Niacin (also used to reduce cholesterol levels). Rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis).

Inform any doctor who prescribes you a new medicine that you are taking Simvastatin Bluefish.

Simvastatin Bluefish with food and drink
Grapefruit juice contains one or more compounds that affect how certain medicines work in the body, including Simvastatin Bluefish. You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take Simvastatin Bluefish if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or suspect you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Simvastatin Bluefish, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while taking Simvastatin Bluefish, as it is not known whether the medicine passes into breast milk.

Before starting any new medicines, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving and using machines
You should not expect Simvastatin Bluefish to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, consider that dizziness may occur in some people after taking Simvastatin Bluefish.

Simvastatin Bluefish contains lactose
Simvastatin Bluefish contains lactose monohydrate (milk sugar). If you have been previously diagnosed with intolerance to certain sugars, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to use Simvastatin Bluefish

The doctor will determine the appropriate dose of the medicine for each patient, depending on the current treatment and individual risk factors.
This medicine should always be used according to the doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. If in doubt, consult the doctor or pharmacist.
While being treated with Simvastatin Bluefish, the patient should follow a standard cholesterol-lowering diet.

Dosage:
The recommended dose of Simvastatin Bluefish is 1 tablet of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg or 80 mg taken once daily, orally.

Adults:
The initial dose is 10 mg, 20 mg, or in some cases 40 mg per day. The doctor may adjust the dose after at least 4 weeks of treatment, up to a maximum of 80 mg per day. Do not use more than 80 mg per day.
The doctor may recommend lower doses, especially if the patient is taking any of the medicines listed above or has certain kidney-related conditions.
The 80 mg dose is recommended only for adult patients with very high cholesterol levels and a high risk of heart and vascular disease, in whom the target cholesterol level has not been achieved with a lower dose.

Use in children and adolescents:
For children (aged 10–17 years), the usual initial dose is 10 mg once daily in the evening. The maximum recommended dose is 40 mg per day.

Method of administration:
Simvastatin Bluefish should be taken in the evening. It may be taken during meals or independently of food. Simvastatin Bluefish should be taken continuously until the doctor advises to discontinue it.
If the doctor has prescribed Simvastatin Bluefish together with another cholesterol-lowering medicine containing any bile acid-binding agent, Simvastatin Bluefish should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid-binding medicine.

Overdose of Simvastatin Bluefish
Contact the doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Missed dose of Simvastatin Bluefish
Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Take the next dose of Simvastatin Bluefish at the usual time the following day.

Stopping Simvastatin Bluefish
Consult the doctor or pharmacist, as cholesterol levels may increase again.
If there are any doubts regarding the use of this medicine, consult the doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody will get them.
The following terms have been used to describe the frequency of occurrence of side effects:
Rare (may occur in up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare (may occur in up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

The following serious side effects have been observed, occurring rarely:
If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop taking the medicine immediately and consult a doctor or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital:

• Muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps, muscle rupture (very rare). In rare cases, muscle problems may have serious consequences, including breakdown of muscle tissue leading to kidney damage; in very rare cases, death has occurred.
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions including:
  • swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, which may cause difficulty in breathing (angioedema),
  • severe muscle pain, usually in the shoulders and hips,
  • rash with muscle weakness in the limbs and neck,
  • rash which may appear on the skin or oral mucosal ulcers (lupus-like skin lesions) (very rare),
  • joint pain or inflammation (polymyalgia rheumatica),
  • inflammation of blood vessels,
  • abnormal bruising, skin rash, and swelling (dermatomyositis), urticaria, photosensitivity, fever, redness,
  • difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath) or malaise,
  • symptoms of lupus-like syndrome (including rash, joint disorders, and blood cell disorders).
• Inflammation of the liver with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, itching, dark-coloured urine or pale-coloured stools, fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, liver failure (very rare).
• Inflammation of the pancreas, often with severe abdominal pain.

The following very rare serious side effects have been reported:

• Severe allergic reaction causing difficulty in breathing or dizziness (anaphylaxis).
• Gynaecomastia (enlargement of breasts in males).

The following side effects have also been observed rarely:
Low number of red blood cells (anaemia).
Numbness or weakness in arms and legs.
Headache, tingling sensation, dizziness.
Blurred vision and visual disturbances.
Gastrointestinal disturbances (abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting).
Rash, itching, hair loss.
Weakness.
Sleep disorders (very rare).
Poor memory (very rare), memory loss, confusion.

The following side effects have also been observed, but their frequency cannot be determined from the available data (frequency not known):

• Erectile dysfunction.
• Depression.
• Inflammation of the lungs causing breathing problems, including chronic cough and/or shortness of breath and fever.
• Tendon disorders, sometimes complicated by tendon rupture.

Possible side effects observed during use of other statins:

• Sleep disorders, including nightmares.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Diabetes: more likely if the patient has high levels of blood sugar and fats, overweight, or high blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor your health during treatment with this medicine.
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or persistent muscle weakness, which may not resolve after discontinuation of Simvastatin Bluefish (frequency not known).

Laboratory test results:
Elevated results in certain blood tests assessing liver function and increased activity of muscle enzymes (creatine kinase) have been observed.

Reporting of side effects
If any adverse effects occur, including any not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181 C, 02-222 Warsaw, Tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, Fax: +48 22 49 21 309, Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorisation holder.
Reporting side effects helps provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Simvastatin Bluefish

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
No special precautions for storage are required.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the blister pack and carton after "EXP"
or "Expiry date". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist
how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Simvastatin Bluefish contains
The active substance is simvastatin. Each coated tablet contains 10 mg of simvastatin.
Other components of the medicine are:
Tablet core:
Butylated hydroxyanisole (E 320)
Ascorbic acid
Monohydrate citric acid
Microcrystalline cellulose
Pregelatinized starch, corn
Lactose monohydrate
Magnesium stearate
Tablet coating:
Opadry Pink 20A54239:
Hypromellose 6 cP
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Talc
Yellow iron oxide (E 172)
Red iron oxide (E 172)

What Simvastatin Bluefish looks like and contents of the pack
Coated tablets.
Round, biconvex, light pink, film-coated tablets, marked with "A" on one side and "01" on the other.
Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg film-coated tablets are available in blister packs containing 10, 14, 28, 30, 50, 56, 84, 98 or 100 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder/Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Bluefish Pharmaceuticals AB, P.O. Box 49013, 100 28 Stockholm, Sweden.
Manufacturer
Bluefish Pharmaceuticals AB, Gävlegatan 22, 113 30 Stockholm, Sweden.

This medicinal product is authorised in the European Economic Area countries under the following names:
Austria: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg Filmtabletten
Netherlands: Simvastatine Bluefish 10 mg filmomhulde tabletten
Ireland: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg film-coated tablets
Iceland: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg filmuhúðaðar töflur
Germany: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg Filmtabletten
Norway: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg tabletter, filmdrasjerte
Poland: Simvastatin Bluefish
Portugal: Simvastatina Bluefish
Sweden: Simvastatin Bluefish 10 mg filmdragerade tabletter