Simvastatin - Common brands: Zocor

What simvastatin is for

Simvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol. Having high cholesterol can cause problems with your heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).

Simvastatin can help:

• bring your cholesterol levels down if you have high cholesterol
• prevent angina, heart attack, stroke and other complications if you have cardiovascular disease

You may also be prescribed simvastatin if you have:

• diabetes
• kidney disease
• familial hypercholesterolaemia (a condition that can cause high cholesterol)

How to take simvastatin

Simvastatin usually comes as tablets or a liquid (oral suspension) that you swallow.

How much you need to take and for how long depends on why you're taking it. Your doctor may prescribe a low dose to start with and then increase it, if needed, after 4 weeks.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

When taking simvastatin:

• swallow tablets whole with a drink of water
• use the syringe or spoon that comes with the liquid to measure the correct dose
• try to take it at the same time each day – usually in the evening
• you can take it with or without food

You usually need to take simvastatin for a long time, sometimes for life.

If you miss a dose of simvastatin

If you forget to take a dose of simvastatin, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much simvastatin

Taking an extra dose of simvastatin is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much as it can sometimes be dangerous.

How to stop taking simvastatin

Keep taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop.

If you want to stop taking simvastatin, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist first. If you stop taking statins, your cholesterol levels may go up again.

Side effects of simvastatin

Like all medicines, simvastatin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of simvastatin include:

• a headache
• dizziness
• feeling sick (nausea)
• digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting
• muscle aches
• sleep problems

Simvastatin will not usually affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery, but if you feel dizzy after taking it, wait until the dizziness stops.

Serious side effects

Simvastatin can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of simvastatin include:

• inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes – yellowed skin may be less noticeable if you have brown or black skin
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause severe stomach pain
• inflammation and damage to the muscles (muscle toxicity), which can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, pain and weakness
• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing

Who can and cannot take simvastatin

Most adults can take simvastatin.

It's sometimes also prescribed for children aged 10 years or older.

But simvastatin is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction to simvastatin
• you have liver or kidney problems, or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• you have unexplained ongoing muscle pain
• there's a history of muscle problems in your family
• you regularly drink a lot of alcohol

Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and simvastatin

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding. They may recommend switching to a different statin.

Simvastatin is not usually used while breastfeeding, because it's not known whether the medicine passes into breast milk.

Pregnancy and simvastatin

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Simvastatin is not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect how your baby develops.

If you're planning to get pregnant, stop taking simvastatin 3 months before you start trying to conceive.

Find out more about taking statins during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking simvastatin with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with simvastatin.

This includes:

• antifungal medicines, such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
• other medicines for lowering cholesterol
• antibiotics such as fusidic acid, erythromycin and clarithromycin
• medicines for viral infections including HIV and hepatitis C
• ciclosporin, a medicine given after an organ transplant
• nefazodone, an antidepressant
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease, such as amlodipine, diltiazem or verapamil
• danazol, a hormone treatment for endometriosis

Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with simvastatin

You can eat as normal while taking simvastatin, but avoid drinking grapefruit juice as it can stop the medicine working properly.

Alcohol can increase your risk of side effects. It's best not to drink too much alcohol while taking simvastatin.