Simvastatin User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Zocor, FloLipid

Simvastatin has an average rating of 4.8 out of 10 from a total of 129 reviews on Drugs.com. 31% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 50% reported a negative experience.

Condition	Avg. Rating	Reviews	Compare
High Cholesterol	4.7	116 reviews for High Cholesterol	55 medications
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction	4.8	6 reviews for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction	23 medications
High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous	7.7	3 reviews for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous	20 medications
High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous	1.0	1 reviews for High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous	14 medications
Hyperlipoproteinemia	8.0	1 reviews for Hyperlipoproteinemia	47 medications
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL	10.0	1 reviews for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL	31 medications
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease	1.0	1 reviews for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease	8 medications
Add your review

Reviews for Simvastatin

Ted...
October 10, 2007

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "I was prescribed Zocor for high cholesterol, and after several weeks, I began to experience heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats. When I stopped this medication, all symptoms stopped. I have had the same experience with Crestor. I cannot take either drug to lower cholesterol."

Was this helpful?Yes No

281 Report

bes...
July 5, 2010

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "Zocor worked to lower my cholesterol from 288 to 150 with exercise, but the side effects became progressively worse and worse until I had to choose not to take it. I wondered if I had developed lupus because my entire body ached. My hips, my ankles, my wrists, my entire shoulder joints. I felt exhausted and had no energy. I stopped and could tell a 90% change in 48 hours. My joints and muscles are back to normal and my energy level has increased."

5 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

226 Report

Nahnie
June 15, 2021

For High Cholesterol "If anyone is on any type of cholesterol medication... GET OFF OF IT AND STAY OFF!!! My husband died from this!!! Any cholesterol medication shuts down the part of your liver that produces cholesterol. So now you're not getting what the liver was intended for. Since the part of your liver is shut down, it also isn't filtering other things you put into your body, such as other medication. In January 2003, my husband received a clear bill of health, retired in February 2003, and on February 19th he turned 55, taking full 100% of his retirement. On May 3rd, 2003, HE DIED FROM MEDICATION TOXICITY!!! BUT because no other claims about the cholesterol medication had been made, I COULD NOT SUE!!! Now I live on disability and a widow's pension, nowhere near what his retirement plan should be paying. So, think of my life the next time you hear of someone taking the cholesterol medication or you being offered this by your doctor."

Was this helpful?Yes No

69 Report

Frequently asked questions

Chuck
Taken for less than 1 month
February 8, 2013

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "This is about the 4th time they have tried me on statins. After a week on Zocor, I have severe backaches, muscle aches, and pains in my wrists where I previously had carpal tunnel surgery. I have been on it for about a week. I will stop it since I trust my body's response to these medicines. If you experience problems with any medicine, don't keep taking it without telling your doctor."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

167 Report

Keith
January 14, 2012

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "After taking Zocor for several months, I experienced sleeplessness, indigestion, and anxiety. Depression soon set in. Antidepressants cannot be taken with Zocor, so I stopped it. Antidepressants all came with side effects. So, I stopped them too. After several weeks of counseling and breathing techniques, I was back to my old self. The doctor put me back on Zocor, and 2 weeks later, sleeplessness, depression, and indigestion are back. I am stopping this medicine."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

151 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Anonymous
June 11, 2009

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "Doctor prescribed Zocor to lower cholesterol (269 total and triglyceride 377, way too high). I took it after the evening meal with a full glass of water as directed. Within the hour, I had a raging headache; my heart was pounding. I could hear the blood pulse through my head (I have 2, maybe 3 headaches per year, so this was not normal). I spent a very long and painful, sleepless night, waiting and suffering. I tell you this much, 9:00 am couldn't arrive fast enough. The doctor told me the 'headache' was not a side effect of Zocor and to keep taking it. I stopped against the doctor's advice and now feel great again. Cholesterol is still very high, but no more headaches."

3 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

163 Report

woodd...
January 18, 2015

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "Been taking Zocor for a while now. Between 1-2 years. Seemed to feel OK, but heart always felt like it was skipping beats. Then about 3 weeks ago, it happened every afternoon around 4 PM, scaring me because they were lasting for a long time. I don't know anything, but this medicine, so I figured this must be my problem. So I just stopped the Zocor (simvastatin) and to my amazement, no more heart palpitations."

Was this helpful?Yes No

111 Report

More FAQ

So done
Taken for 1 to 6 months
April 21, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I was put on 20 mg of the drug, Zocor AKA simvastatin because my 'bad' cholesterol (the LDL) was high; 160. This was the first time ever tried a statin drug and will be the last time. I was up every night urinating. No sleep. I was getting muscle spasms like a charlie horse in my legs. My arms felt heavy. I was irritable, had no patience, and no ENERGY. I felt like I was in a fog. I had short-term memory confusion. Never again. For me? Diet change, exercise, 81 mg of aspirin and CoQ10. Check with your doctor. Good luck!"

Was this helpful?Yes No

94 Report

Anonymous
October 1, 2010

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "This medication landed me in the ER after a week. I was having so much back pain that I could not stand or walk. I was wheeled in. The pain was so severe they had to use Dilaudid to bring it down and send me home on it for several days. I have always had back pain, so I was not sure at first that this was the cause. I am now. I figure I cannot take 'Statins' and currently take nothing. I can take Zetia if I have to. It felt like my back was bone on bone. All my discs fell out in my lower back and crushed. The most pain I had ever been in. Probably a good drug for some but not for me."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

121 Report

Chas
November 17, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Taking this medication and having leg cramps that became severe. Did not know the source of the cramps at night. Stopped for a month and leg cramps disappeared. Started again and immediately had night leg cramps, severe enough to get me out of bed over and over again."

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

93 Report

Leman...
April 1, 2012

For High Cholesterol "I am so happy I looked up Simvastatin here today. It was incredibly helpful. I had been having left knee pains originally and then calf and behind the thigh pains plus backaches sometimes from neck down. I now know from all the reports from users here that it was caused by this medicine."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

103 Report

janst...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
December 23, 2015

For High Cholesterol "My Dr. put me on Simvastatin. My cholesterol reading 134. I guess it was a birthday present. I was on it for two years. Complained about pain and dizziness. Got Gabapentin and Vicodin. Pain persisted. Then after about twenty-two months I felt something crystallize in my leg muscles. My Dr. ignored it. I had this Dr. for more than forty years and never associated the medicine with my pain. Utterly stupid. Never trust your health to anyone. I have been in severe pain for the last eight years. Get off Simvastatin immediately when you feel pain. I had a muscle biopsy, but I am unable to get the results. In a matter of two years, I poisoned myself into an invalid. I spend most of my days in a chair. It is too painful to walk."

5 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

78 Report

RoseM...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 7, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I took this drug for 3 months. I just stopped it now with doctor's approval. I stopped because I was getting tightness in my chest, burning sensations on my skin, sore breasts, and was getting depressed. Yes, it did lower my cholesterol, but it's not worth it to me if it causes depression. Apparently, this drug can inhibit serotonin production. If you have any history of depressive disorder, I would NOT take this drug. My father took the pill as well, but just stopped because he has had trouble with walking this year. He had burning sensations down his legs this year. We think his walking troubles *may* have something to do with Simvastatin. Perhaps Simvastatin doesn't hurt everyone, but my opinion of it is poor. Trust your gut."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

80 Report

tmiller
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 11, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Since I started taking simvastatin 20mg at bedtime, I am not sleeping well, joint pain, tiredness, and my acid reflux is so bad I can't stand it anymore. Not sure if the simvastatin is the problem, but was not having the issues with my acid reflux while taking my Nexium until I started taking simvastatin. Talked with my pharmacy, and they told me that the simvastatin does not worsen acid reflux. It does seem funny. I was not having a problem with it until I started taking the simvastatin."

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

86 Report

JohnG...
Taken for 10 years or more
June 29, 2015

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "Started this med about 11 years ago. It dropped my level to below avg. I always associated my aches and pains to my age and activity level, but I've discontinued its use for about 3 weeks because my finger joints felt swollen and arthritic. I'm starting to feel a slow improvement. My additional symptoms are sore hips and other joints. To be fair, I won't be able to discern whether this is the drug or some other factor until staying off it longer."

7 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

73 Report

Welby
May 27, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I took the medication for three days and quit. I became so ill and could not keep down food for three days. I was in pain in my chest and back. The pain was so bad I could not sleep. I took Tylenol, and it did nothing. I called my doctor's office and let them know I could not take this medication. I had a terrible reaction to this medication."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

66 Report

pepzi...
April 4, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Simvastatin was a total nightmare for me. Lower half of back, hips, and legs were so painful, I could barely walk. For me it was like an intense burning sensation. And this was after my first dose, and this was my last."

Was this helpful?Yes No

68 Report

Viking
January 11, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Took my cholesterol down. After one year, I developed what I believe to be awful side effects from this medication. Muscle weakness and neuropathy are at the top of the list. I went off statins and felt better after a few months, but it took about three years to feel normal. I know others who also had side effects from statins. I will not take this again."

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

62 Report

Sleep...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
November 15, 2012

For High Cholesterol "Was prescribed simvastatin for elevated cholesterol and family history of atherosclerosis. It was very effective in lowering my cholesterol and my side effects were minimal. I did experience insomnia after several weeks, which became increasingly worse over the two years I have been taking it. I was doing good to get five hours of sleep each night, sometimes only three, however never felt tired. I have decided to stop taking it for a while and am now sleeping a full eight hours and feeling less 'edgy'. Hope to lower cholesterol with exercise and diet."

9 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

76 Report

Death...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 10, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I experienced nighttime severe reflux and aspiration, gasping for air with an overwhelming near-death feeling. Plus, I had the night cramps. I stopped the med. Changed my life, will never take it again."

Was this helpful?Yes No

59 Report

trici...
April 27, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Lowered cholesterol. Took for about 4 months. Never again. I found myself in the emergency room often reporting extreme weakness, especially in legs and head. I felt like I was floating instead of walking. Extreme headaches. I'm a very active 40-year-old! I felt like I couldn't stand up or walk without help. Not to mention shortness of breath and sharp pains in my legs. Stopped taking as soon as I realized simvastatin may have been causing it about a few days ago. I still feel spasms in my legs, but not as severe, and my strength has returned."

4 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

54 Report

Louie
April 7, 2014

For High Cholesterol "About one week after I started taking it, I started with mild leg cramps. After three weeks, I couldn't stand it anymore. They would wake me up at night and throb, so I stopped taking it. I can't really rate effectiveness as I wasn't on it long enough."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

63 Report

Bobjk
February 1, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I took this simvastatin for about a week and stopped. I was having insomnia, dull pain in my chest, numbness of both my legs and hands, and consistent pain in my left arm and neck. I intend to see my doctor this week."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

49 Report

Karrie...
August 27, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I will NEVER use any statin again. I experienced neuropathy and muscle weakness. I felt 20 years older, and this was on a 10 mg a day. The side effects, which I believe were statin-related, did not show up for one full year. They did bring my cholesterol numbers down, but my quality of life greatly went down. It took me 3 years after quitting to not feel the effects of this anymore. At one point, my muscles were so weak I could barely lift my purse. I had prickling and numbness in my legs, arms, and feet. It was horrible!"

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

46 Report

SumnerE
September 28, 2012

For High Cholesterol "I have been on Simvastatin (5 mg/day) for a month. It has worked wonders. My high cholesterol is family-related, and without much change to my diet (besides Raisin Bran for cereal and more tea), it has lowered significantly within a month. My HDL was 37, it is now 45. My LDL was 173, and it is now 91. My total cholesterol had been 234, and it is now 154. This is great news for me, and I have not had any side effects that I have been able to feel as of yet (possibly because I'm on such a low dose). I only have rave reviews for Simvastatin."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

64 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.