Simvastatin is a medication used to treat high cholesterol. It’s part of a group of medications known as statins, and it’s named after the active ingredient it uses - simvastatin. Statins are medications that lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood and contribute towards the prevention of cholesterol-related comorbidities.
LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, but it’s actually not all bad. We need cholesterol to build healthy cells, so our aim is never to eliminate it completely. The problems arise when the cholesterol levels are too high and the substance starts to cling together in your blood vessels which can lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and other issues. By lowering your LDL levels, Simvastatin will help prevent most issues caused by high cholesterol.
How does Simvastatin work?
Simvastatin’s main actions happen in the liver. The active substance in the medication can slow down the production of LDL cholesterol, which in turn decreases the LDL cholesterol levels in your blood. Simvastatin also increases your levels of HDL, known as the ‘good cholesterol’, which will also contribute towards lower levels of LDL long-term.
This medication is used to control LDL levels, but its main objective is to prevent coronary heart disease and lower your chances of mortality due to heart conditions.
What doses of Simvastatin are there?
Simvastatin comes in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg tablets, and which one you take will depend on how high your cholesterol levels are. No matter which dose you’re prescribed, they all need to be taken once a day in the evening.
If you don’t know which dosage is best for you, our clinicians can assess your health background and cholesterol levels to advise you on what you should be taking.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Simvastatin
The clinician who prescribed the medication to you will tell you which dosage is right for you, as well as how to take it, so if you follow their directions the treatment should work as well as possible. They’ll also be able to answer any questions you have at any point during your treatment. Taking Simvastatin is a straightforward process and you just need to know a few key facts:
take one tablet a day, in the evenings
do not drink grapefruit juice before or after taking Simvastatin. If possible, avoid it altogether. Grapefruit juice affects the metabolisation process of all statins and can cause you to absorb more of the medication than you should be absorbing, which can be toxic in some cases
take your medication alongside a cholesterol-lowering diet
If you follow these directions, your cholesterol levels should be considerably lower within a few weeks of starting your treatment.
How long does it take Simvastatin to work?
It can take up to a week after starting your treatment for your cholesterol levels to start shifting, and the medication will typically reach its full effect within a month. To achieve the best results possible, you should take your medication alongside a cholesterol-lowering diet and make some healthy lifestyle changes. Some of these changes may include:
losing weight, if you’re overweight
limiting your alcohol intake as much as possible
reducing your tobacco consumption if you smoke, or ideally, quitting smoking
If you need help with your diet, our clinician can help point you in the right direction. But you can also find information online. For instance, the TLC diet is a diet for people with high cholesterol levels, recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program. It promotes lifestyle changes as well as the consumption of whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, and lean meat.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Simvastatin?
If you miss a dose of Simvastatin and realise it too late, you can skip the dose and take the next one as scheduled. You don’t need to, and shouldn’t, take two tablets to make up for the missed one. If you take more Simvastatin than your prescribed daily dosage, contact a clinician so they can monitor your symptoms and advise you further in case you develop any adverse effects. Taking more Simvastatin than you’re prescribed can increase your risk of developing myopathy, [5] so make sure to never take more than you should. It’s also very important to avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you’re taking Simvastatin, as it can compromise the absorption of the medication and therefore your high cholesterol treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our clinicians on your account if you’re ordering Simvastatin with us.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Simvastatin
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is Simvastatin similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Simvastatin is a generic treatment, so different companies make it and they may change the appearance of the tablets, the packaging, and even the price. The branded version of Simvastatin is Zocor, which is produced by a different company.
Zocor and Simvastatin both use the active ingredient simvastatin, so even though they look different, the medication is the same and will work in the same way. The main difference will be the price, as generics tend to be cheaper than the branded versions.
Other than Simvastatin and Zocor, there are many other types of statins that work similarly, even if the active ingredient is a different type of statin. If you’d like to know more you can contact us and our clinicians will talk to you about all the different options available.
Which dose of Simvastatin should I use?
Answer:
The dose of Simvastatin that is prescribed to you will depend on what you’re using the medication for, how well the treatment is going, and how high your cholesterol levels are. Your dosage might need to be adjusted if the benefits aren’t substantial enough, or it may remain the same if you’re responding well to the treatment.
You don’t have to worry about figuring out what the right dose is for you, our clinicians will assess your health history and your cholesterol levels and decide what’s best for you to take. They will also monitor your symptoms and your progress so they can make any adjustments if need be.
How effective is Simvastatin?
Answer:
Simvastatin has shown very positive results in clinical studies. One study, in particular, found an overall reduction of total cholesterol of 25%, a 35% reduction in LDL, and an 8% increase in HDL. Making Simvastatin a highly effective treatment for high cholesterol. That same study also claims that simvastatin greatly improves the survival rate of patients with coronary heart disease.
Why should I buy Simvastatin online with Treated?
Answer:
We work hard to make healthcare accessible to everyone, so getting your treatment has never been easier. Our clinicians will work with you to find a medication that works and stay in touch to see how things are going. Treatment with statins is usually long-term, so you can subscribe to our service and get your medication delivered as often as you want.
Do I need a prescription for Simvastatin?
Answer:
Yes, you will need a prescription to get Simvastatin or any statin. This is to ensure that a clinician can check if the medication is safe and suitable for you to use.
This also ensures that a healthcare professional is able to monitor your treatment so they can address any side effects that arise, adjust your dosage if necessary, or find a different treatment option if Simvastatin isn’t working as expected. Or if you’re getting side effects that are hard to manage.
Randomised trial of cholesterol lowering in 4444 patients with coronary heart disease: the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S). (1994). Lancet (London, England), 344(8934), pp.1383–1389.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
