SPL Set ID: 7b325108-6940-50a7-96b4-822a5206e568

Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent that is derived synthetically from a fermentation product of Aspergillus terreus . After oral ingestion, simvastatin, which is an inactive lactone, is hydrolyzed to the corresponding β-hydroxyacid form. This is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an early and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Simvastatin is butanoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-,1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4­hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)-ethyl]-1-naphthalenyl ester, [1S-[1α,3α,7β,8β(2S*,4S*),-8aβ]]. The empirical formula of simvastatin is C 25 H 38 O 5 and its molecular weight is 418.57. Its structural formula is: Simvastatin is a white to off-white, nonhygroscopic, crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water, and freely soluble in chloroform, methanol and ethanol. Simvastatin tablets, USP for oral administration contain either 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg or 80 mg of simvastatin and the following inactive ingredients: alcohol, anhydrous citric acid, ascorbic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, pregelatinized starch (maize), purified water, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, and butylated hydroxyanisole is added as a preservative. Simvastatin 10mg, 20mg, and 40 mg contains red and yellow ferric oxide. Simvastatin 80 mg contains red ferric oxide. simvastatin-3