Simvastatin

Information about Simvastatin

Simvastatin Uses

Simvastatin is used in the treatment of high cholesterol and Prevention of heart attack and stroke.

How Simvastatin works

Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required in the body to make cholesterol. It thus lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, raising the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL).

Common side effects of Simvastatin

Constipation, Headache, Upper respiratory tract infection, Abdominal pain
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Betina Chandolia
MDS, BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MD (Pharmacology), MBBS
Last updated:
20 Feb 2020 | 09:18 AM (UTC)

Want to know more?

Read Our Editorial Policy

Available Medicine for Simvastatin

SimvotinSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
₹78 to ₹3004 variant(s)
ZostaUSV Ltd
₹62 to ₹1544 variant(s)
SimloIpca Laboratories Ltd
₹53 to ₹972 variant(s)
FemellaAkumentis Healthcare Ltd
₹1081 variant(s)
SimvofixBal Pharma Ltd
₹73 to ₹822 variant(s)
SimvasMicro Labs Ltd
₹44 to ₹983 variant(s)
SimvaxComed Chemicals Ltd
₹571 variant(s)
StnAretaeus Pharmaceuticals
₹431 variant(s)
SimvastolThemis Medicare Ltd
₹25 to ₹753 variant(s)
ZOCOR(MSD)MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
₹172 to ₹2102 variant(s)

Expert advice for Simvastatin

  • It should be taken in the evening after dinner and before sleeping.
  • It should be taken in addition to regular exercise and low-fat diet to lower levels of fat in the blood.
  • Inform your doctor if you experience fatigue, muscle weakness or muscle pain. 
  • Your doctor may check your liver function before starting the treatment and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems such as stomach pains, unusually dark urine or yellowing of skin or eyes.
  • Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes before starting treatment with this medicine. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar level regularly as Simvastatin may cause an increase in your blood sugar level.
  • Do not take Simvastatin if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions for Simvastatin

Simvastatin

Q. What should I know about high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat present in your blood. Total cholesterol is determined by the total amount of LDL and HDL cholesterol in the body. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol. Bad cholesterol can build up in the wall of your blood vessels and slow or obstruct blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs. This can cause heart disease and stroke. HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol as it prevents the bad cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels. High levels of triglycerides are also harmful for you.

Q. What is Simvastatin used for? How does it work?

Simvastatin belongs to a class of medicines called statins that lower the cholesterol in the blood. It is used along with a healthy diet and exercise to reduce bad cholesterol and increase the amount of good cholesterol in the blood. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the liver in order to decrease the amount of cholesterol that accumulates on the walls of arteries. Improving the levels of cholesterol in the blood helps to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Q. When should I take Simvastatin?

Simvastatin is generally taken once a day preferably in the evening after dinner. Try taking this medicine at the same time every day to help remember when to take it.

Q. For how long should I take Simvastatin?

You may need to take Simvastatin for life or for as long as directed by your doctor. The cholesterol levels will be maintained only till you are taking Simvastatin. Stopping Simvastatin without starting a different treatment may increase your cholesterol levels again. This medicine has only a few side effects and is usually considered safe if taken as directed by the doctor.

Q. What foods should be avoided when taking Simvastatin?

Simvastatin is used to decrease your blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, to seek the best results of this medicine, you should avoid foods which are high in calories like fried food and junk food. It is recommended to eat a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet. Be sure to follow all the exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietician.

Q. Does Simvastatin make you tired?

Yes, Simvastatin can make you feel tired. This is because they reduce the energy supply to the muscles in the body. However, the exact reason behind the phenomenon is unknown and needs more research. Tiredness usually occurs after exertion. Generalized fatigue is more often seen in people with heart disease or those suffering from liver illness. Simvastatin also causes muscle damage which further worsens the tiredness and so you must consult your doctor if you feel tired while taking Simvastatin.

Q. Can I take alcohol with Simvastatin?

No, it is not advised to take alcohol with Simvastatin. This is because the risk of developing liver problems increases if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Moreover, there is a significant increase in the triglyceride levels if Simvastatin is taken along with alcohol. This can further lead to liver damage and also worsen some of the side effects such as muscle pain, muscle weakness and tenderness. People with liver problems are therefore advised not to take Simvastatin without consulting their doctor. They must also refrain from consuming alcohol while taking this medicine to get maximum benefit.

Q. Is Simvastatin safe to take?

Yes, Simvastatin is safe to use if used as prescribed by the doctor and if the doctor's instructions are followed. The side effects of this medicine are few and do not occur in everyone.

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

160m+
Visitors
27m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App

Connect

  • Social Links
  • Want daily dose of health?
Download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

India's only LegitScript and ISO/ IEC 27001 certified online healthcare platform

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.

© 2022 Tata 1mg. All rights reserved. In compliance with Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, we don't process requests for Schedule X and other habit forming drugs.