Simvastatin: Uses, Side Effects, and How to Take It
Simvastatin is a prescription medicine in the statin family used to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is used along with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose and monitor you while you take it.
Simvastatin lowers cholesterol and helps protect the heart, but it is important to take it exactly as prescribed. Contact a doctor or pharmacist promptly for severe muscle pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- C10AA01
- Generic
- Simvastatin
- Class
- statin
- Brands
- Zocor
- Availability
- rx
- Pregnancy
- X
- Lactation
- unsafe
- Half-life (h)
- 3
- Duration (h)
- 24
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- CN, US, EU, JP
- Monitoring
- liver-function, lipid-panel
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 500mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 250mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
7 groupspregnancy
first trimesterdiscontinue before conception if possible
contraindicated during pregnancy. Discontinue therapy if pregnancy occurs
discontinue immediately upon pregnancy confirmation
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
pregnancy
third trimesterdiscontinue therapy
do not use during pregnancy. Statins may affect fetal cholesterol synthesis critical for brain development
immediate discontinuation required
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
lactation
breastfeedingdo not breastfeed
contraindicated during breastfeeding. Simvastatin is likely excreted in breast milk and may cause serious adverse reactions in infants
infant should not be breastfed
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
geriatric
elderly over 65start at lowest dose, 5-10mg daily
use with caution due to increased sensitivity. Start with lowest dose and titrate slowly. Monitor for myopathy
regular monitoring of liver function and muscle symptoms, check creatinine kinase if muscle pain occurs
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
adolescents 10 17not typically recommended, limited data for familial hypercholesterolemia
may be used in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in patients 10 years and older under specialist supervision only
close monitoring of growth and development, regular liver function tests
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
severe renal impairmentuse lower dose, maximum 10mg daily
reduce maximum dose to 10mg daily due to increased risk of myopathy. Use with caution and avoid concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors
monitor renal function regularly, check creatinine kinase if muscle symptoms develop
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
hepatic_impairment
active liver diseasecontraindicated
contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases
periodic liver function tests, discontinue if ALT or AST exceed 3x upper limit of normal
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approval year
Year Simvastatin was approved for medical use in the United States
Drug class
Pharmacological classification of Simvastatin
Primary indication
Main therapeutic uses for Simvastatin
Mechanism of action
Primary pharmacological mechanism of Simvastatin
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Test
Use caution (1)
Test
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 22, 2026. · Read our editorial policy