Simvastatin
Simvastatin lowers LDL cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular events when used as part of an individual risk-reduction plan. It does not replace management of smoking, blood pressure, diabetes or diet.
Key points
- Treatment is guided by overall cardiovascular risk and cholesterol response, not a catalogue comparison alone.
- Several medicines and grapefruit can raise simvastatin exposure and muscle-injury risk.
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine, or jaundice, needs urgent assessment.
Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.
What Simvastatin is used for
Simvastatin may be used for hypercholesterolaemia and prevention plans in people with or at high risk of coronary heart disease.
How it works
Simvastatin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, reducing cholesterol production and increasing removal of LDL from blood.
Important safety checks
Pregnancy, liver disease, unexplained muscle symptoms and all medicines and supplements require review. Strong enzyme inhibitors and some heart, antibiotic and antifungal medicines can make combinations unsafe. Liver tests and cholesterol response may be monitored.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening muscle pain or weakness, dark urine, fever with muscle symptoms, yellow skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, facial swelling or breathing difficulty.
Further reading
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