gangadharan_nair replied: "Simvastatin is used together with lifestyle changes (diet, weight-loss, exercise) to reduce the amount of cholesterol (a fat-like substance) and other fatty substances in your blood. Simvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Buildup of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to decrease your risk of heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks. In addition to taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, making certain changes in your daily habits can also lower your cholesterol blood levels. You should eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercise 30 minutes on most, if not all days, and lose weight if you are overweight. Simvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away: * constipation If you experience the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: * muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness * lack of energy * fever * yellowing of the skin or eyes * pain in the upper right part of the stomach * nausea * extreme tiredness * unusual bleeding or bruising * loss of appetite * flu-like symptoms * rash * hives * itching * difficulty breathing or swallowing * swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs * hoarseness Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (change of life; end of menstrual periods). Raloxifene is also used to decrease the risk of developing invasive breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread outside of the milk ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue) in women who are at high risk of developing this type of cancer or who have osteoporosis. Raloxifene cannot be used to treat invasive breast cancer or to prevent invasive breast cancer from coming back in women who have already had the condition. Raloxifene also cannot be used to decrease the risk of developing non-invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene is in a class of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Raloxifene prevents and treats osteoporosis by mimicking the effects of estrogen (a female hormone produced by the body) to increase the density (thickness) of bone. Raloxifene decreases the risk of developing invasive breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen on breast tissue. This may stop the development of tumors that need estrogen to grow. Raloxifene may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: * hot flashes (more common in the first 6 months of raloxifene therapy) * leg cramps * swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs * flu-like syndrome * joint pain * sweating * difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Raloxifene may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms while you are taking this medication. Please see the web pages for more details on Simvastatin and Raloxifene (generic name) Evista (brand name). Consult your doctor."

ckm1956 replied: "You'll likely need them lifetime. Once you stop them, the levels go back up. When to test depends on the patient Talk to your doctor, but it could be every 1 - 3 - 6 months."

muddypuppyuk replied: "Other factors include once a day doses that might or do cause drowsiness to be taken at night, or drugs that react with foods to be taken when one is not going to be eating, such as bed time."