unlicensed uses of simvastatin

[rose]

i was wondering what unlicensed uses of simvastatin there are

[SolomonQ]

none are clinically recommended, but potential uses are in MS, Dementia, Parkinson's and prevention of CVD (unrelated to its cholesterol lowering properties)

[rose]

thank you for the reply, it was really helpful as i am a student about to do pre-reg. i was wondering where you find unlicensed uses of medicines, is there a particular journal or do you only learn this through practical experience.

[SolomonQ]

thank you for the reply, it was really helpful as i am a student about to do pre-reg. i was wondering where you find unlicensed uses of medicines, is there a particular journal or do you only learn this through practical experience.

erm, you learn from experience really, not one specific source, if you have the BNF go through it, there are many unlicensed uses of meds listed, look out for [unlicensed], examples would be gabapentin or amitriptyline for neurophatic pain,

[unlicensed] means the medicine wasnt authorised to be used in that way, so alot of medcines are used unlicensed in children as they have never been clinically tested in children. certain medicines themselves might be totally unlicensed as they do not possess an MA in UK, one good example of this is
melatonin.

and dont worry bout it, glad to be of help

[Sir_Dispensalot]

some preps of melatonin now have a product licence solly - can't remember which company but i think it's the 5mg caps - should be a bit cheaper to order in now too!

t'internet is also a good place to find out about unlicensed uses of certain drugs, and the medicines info dept of a drugs manufacturer can be very helpful too (although some are considerably more helpful than others).

[Sir_Dispensalot]

another way is to think about the mode of action of a drug or even its side effects eg anecdotal evidence from MS sufferers found relief from symptoms whilst breastfeeding - research into increasing prolactin (lactation hormone) levels in mice with MS has shown slowed disease progression and even reversal of symptoms as demylination of nerves is slowed. Human trials of prolactin stimulating drugs begin soon, but a few bright sparks have noticed that domperidone (side effect of lactation in some people) increases prolactin levels and I've already seen domperidone prescribed for an MS patient from their specialist. Downside is the gastric effects. This therapy is totally unlicensed but as the prescriber and patient are both informed of the situation it's allowed.

[SolomonQ]

some preps of melatonin now have a product licence solly - can't remember which company but i think it's the 5mg caps - should be a bit cheaper to order in now too!

looks like Circadin® m/r 2mg was the melatonin preparation recently launched by Lundbeck for the short-term monotherapy treatment of primary insomnia in patients aged 55 years or older. The recommended dose is 2 mg, 1-2 hours before bedtime and after food, for 3 weeks. but use might be limited by higher price compared to zopi, zolp, Tem, Ami etc...

So technically they might aswell left it unlicensed....doctors use it mostly in children, zopi does a bril job in over 55s

[paul2008]

looks like Circadin® m/r 2mg was the melatonin preparation recently launched by Lundbeck for the short-term monotherapy treatment of primary insomnia in patients aged 55 years or older. The recommended dose is 2 mg, 1-2 hours before bedtime and after food, for 3 weeks. but use might be limited by higher price compared to zopi, zolp, Tem, Ami etc...

So technically they might aswell left it unlicensed....doctors use it mostly in children, zopi does a bril job in over 55s

Melatonin has a lower risk of dependence/rebound insomnia and no hangover effect in addition to less risk of fractures in elderly patients who may have osteoporosis. Unless I am mistaken these are advantages that out weigh the slightly increase cost, if it actually worked

[Tony Schofield]

A large percentage of medicines in the Children's BNF are not licensed for use with children

[Asterix]

is simvastatin effective in reducing cholestrol?