Changes are on the horizon for about a quarter of a million New Zealanders who are taking cholesterol-lowering medication. New Zealand’s most widely prescribed* cholesterol-lowering medicine, LIPEX
® (simvastatin, MSD), is now no longer fully funded; instead there is a funded generic option.
It’s
your choice if you would like to stay on LIPEX, which from now on will
cost around $20** a month. You’ll just need to ask specifically for
LIPEX by name when you hand over your prescription.
LIPEX IS PROVEN TO LOWER CHOLESTEROLLIPEX
is one of a class of medicines called statins which effectively lower a
person’s cholesterol by reducing the amounts of cholesterol secreted by
their liver. An elevated cholesterol level may increase a person’s risk
of heart attack, stroke, thrombosis and other diseases of the
cardiovascular system.
LIPEX BENEFITS- LIPEX
is proven in over 10 years of clinical studies (with nearly 25,000
patients) to lower cholesterol and reduce the risks associated with
coronary heart disease.
- LIPEX is the original brand of simvastatin used for lowering cholesterol levels.
Maintaining
a healthy diet and daily exercise may also help lower high cholesterol,
and may reduce your chances of having coronary heart disease.
ASK FOR LIPEX BY NAMEIf
you would like to stay on LIPEX make sure you tell your doctor and
pharmacist. Staying on LIPEX, for around $20 a month, is your choice.
So the next time you hand over your prescription, ask your pharmacist for LIPEX by name.
THINGS
TO KNOW BEFORE USING LIPEX (simvastatin) 10, 20, 40 & 80 mg
tablets: LIPEX is indicated for patients at high risk of coronary heart
disease (CHD) or with existing CHD and as an adjunct (addition) to diet
for patients with high cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia). LIPEX should not
be taken by patients who have a hypersensitivity reaction, active liver
disease, who are pregnant or nursing. Precaution should be taken when
administering LIPEX to children and to patients with muscle pain,
increased creatine kinase (muscle enzymes), history of liver disease or
raised liver function tests. Common side-effects are: abdominal pain,
constipation, flatulence. Rarely: muscle pain (myopathy),
rhabdomyolysis and hepatitis. LIPEX is a prescription only medicine; a
prescription charge will apply. Consult your doctor to see if LIPEX is
right for you, a normal doctor’s visit fee will usually apply. Use only
as directed and if symptoms continue or you have side-effects, see your
doctor, pharmacist or health professional. Marketed by Merck Sharp
& Dohme (NZ) Limited, Newmarket, Auckland. For detailed prescribing
information, consult the data sheet or consumer medicine information,
phone 0800 500 673, or refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz
. [MPI-ZCR-3] 03-2010-NZ-09-5378-JA TAPS PP6605
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