Simvastatin
Also sold as: Zocor
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 10 to 40 mg once a day in the evening. No more than 20 mg a day if you also take amlodipine or amiodarone.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- muscle aches
- headache
- stomach upset
- constipation
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
- yellow eyes or skin
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active liver disease
- Taking clarithromycin, itraconazole or ketoconazole tablets
- Heavy alcohol use (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious8 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Amiodarone raises simvastatin levels; do not take more than 20 mg simvastatin a day.
- Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin greatly raises simvastatin levels and the risk of severe muscle damage; do not combine.
- Diltiazem
Diltiazem raises simvastatin levels and the risk of muscle damage; keep simvastatin at 10 mg or less.
- Erythromycin
Greatly raises simvastatin levels and the risk of severe muscle damage; do not combine.
- Fluconazole
Fluconazole raises simvastatin levels and the risk of muscle damage.
- Itraconazole
Itraconazole greatly raises simvastatin levels and the risk of severe muscle damage; do not combine.
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- Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole tablets greatly raise simvastatin levels and the risk of severe muscle damage.
- Verapamil
Verapamil raises simvastatin levels and the risk of muscle damage.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Amlodipine
Amlodipine raises simvastatin levels; do not take more than 20 mg simvastatin a day.
- Colchicine
Together they increase the risk of muscle damage; report muscle pain or weakness.
- Fenofibrate
Together they raise the risk of muscle problems; report muscle pain.