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.
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