JH had a myocardial infarction MI 3 years ago He was prescri

JH had a myocardial infarction (MI) 3 years ago. He was prescribed gemfibrozil (Lopid) 600mg, twice daily, before meals. His cholesterol remained between 220 and 240mg/dL, and his LDL was 140mg/dL. His anticholesterol drug was changed to simvastatin (Zocor) 20mg/day in the evening. 10. While JH is taking simvastatin, which group of serum blood levels should be monitored and if JH complains of muscle pain and muscle weakness. What might this indicate?

Solution

When a patient is on simvastatin, his creatinine kinase levels should be monitored. The drug significantly increases the levels of creatinine kinase (sometimes it increases even upto 10 times the normal limit). Any muscle pain or myalgia may indicate rhabdomyolysis which is muscle damage. Creatinine kinase levels are increased in rhabdomyolysis.