Get Informed: Simvastatin
Active Ingredient(s)
Simvastatin
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to reduce cholesterol. It works by blocking an important enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) used by the body to produce cholesterol.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 6:30 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Simvastatin
- Zocor
- Lipex
- Simvador
- Ranzolont
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 23 Dec 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 6,183,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Simvastatin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Simvastatin
- Statin Benefits Still Outweigh New Safety Information
- Study Supports Link Between Statins and Muscle Pain and Weakness
Simvastatin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Simvastatin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Simvastatin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 41,200 patients that use Simvastatin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 98% | 
|
| High Triglycerides | 18% |
|
How well does Simvastatin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,200 users taking Simvastatin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Simvastatin outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Simvastatin.
Common Side Effects of Simvastatin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 41,200 users taking Simvastatin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
15% of patients experience side-effects on Simvastatin
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Simvastatin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Cough, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Dryness, Fatigue, Insomnia, Liver Problems, Memory/Speech Problems, Nausea/Vomiting, Numbness/Tingling, Vivid Dreams, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Simvastatin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I take Simvastatin and the Dr. also gave me Gemfibrozil . Lately my legs really hurt, Saw on the news but was unable to catch the whole broadcast that the simvastatin was causing serious problems.true or false
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 16:25:41
Question/Comment:
I am a73 year old female on Simvastatin. I also have chronic kidney disease. Someone told me that lipitor is not as hard on your kidneys as simvastatin. True?
74 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-16 16:21:57
Question/Comment:
I to have a strange feeling in my head like a switch switch sound in my head. I experience it sometimes in mid morning or afternoon. Have not spoken to my doctor about because it is not everyday and I don't know if it is from simvastain or not. Just a funny sound in my head in back of my ear. Has anyone else had these funny sounds?
68 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-16 12:40:59
Question/Comment:
I am a 59 yr old female who has been on simvastatin for about 4 months. To be most effective, Simvastatin should always be taken just before bedtime because cholesterol is made in the body as you sleep. My Cardiologist said that the 20mg strength wouldn't make a dent in my overall cholesterol levels. I'm anxious to find out if, in fact, if my bloodwork results show any improvement. I have not had any side effects to date.
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 08:45:56
Question/Comment:
I too, was taking Lipitor, until the cost became prohibitive. My doctor put me on Simvastatin. After several months I kept having chronic, dull headaches. I am now taking Provastatin and it seems to be working. I was told that Simvastatin is not in the same class as Lipitor, and Provastatin is, which may have been my problem.
68 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-05 09:17:59
iGuard Answer/Reply:
All of these drugs are in the same class, they are statins. Lipitor's generic name, atorvastatin, sounds more like pravastatin and simvastatin. Some patients do better taking one drug versus another, even if they are in the same class. All of these drugs work to lower cholesterol.
Posted: 2010-03-05 11:16:07
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Simvastatin