A patient with coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia is admitted to the hospital. The patient takes simvastatin to manage her cholesterol. The nurse asks the patient about the presence of which side effect?

Explanation

• Simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a statin.

• Common side effects of statins include myalgia, headache, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, edema, insomnia and eczema.

• Blurred vision, flushing of the head and neck, and confusion are not common side effects of statins.

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