Simvastatin and Depression: What Users Say

• Kei...
• 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."

• Ros...
• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

For High Cholesterol "I was on Simvastatin for approximately 8 weeks for high cholesterol. I experienced extreme muscle weakness in my arms and legs, along with severe muscle spasms at night. I also began to have increased depression (I have been on Paxil for 10 years), confusion, memory problems, and unexplainable irritability, anger, and paranoia. After 7 days without the Simvastatin, most of these complaints have subsided, although I am still having muscle pain and slight spasms at night."

• Sop...
• March 30, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I have been on 20 mg Zocor now for 3 months. Within the past 6 weeks, I have developed muscle ache in my legs, stomach, and ribs, insomnia that I never had before, along with depression and a general feeling of lethargy. High time I had a chat with my doctor, I think. If it's Zocor that's causing this, then it's not worth taking."

• Lis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 27, 2018

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have coronary artery disease (CAD). Open-heart surgery in 2002. I have taken 20 mg of simvastatin for 16 years. The last 3 years, I have been in chronic pain. My torso, rib cage, upper back, under my arms on my rib cage, both shoulders. Deep sore muscle pain and stiffness in my back. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a spine nerve test. The doctor said no fibromyalgia but myofascial. After the trigger point shot, the doctor said no to that. Help!!!! The doctors do not know why I am in pain. I have been depressed since 2014. Lately, I have insomnia, nightmares, and am extremely tired when I wake up."

• Eil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Took three 10 mg simvastatin tablets... 1st night insomnia, 2nd night slept but nightmare, and 3rd night slept but woke up feeling depressed and anxious. Dr. said this wasn't from the simvastatin, but I did so quit taking it, and it took 2 weeks to feel like myself emotionally again. NEVER will I take a statin."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 19, 2022

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "Statins made me crave fatty foods, pot roast, bratwurst, butter, as well as other high-fat foods (and dark sodas like root beer-bad for kidneys). NO STATIN lowered my genetically high cholesterol, I am of half Mediterranean descent. I was on 40 mg simvastatin for about 10 years, the doctor switched me to 40 mg atorvastatin about a year ago, for about 2 weeks, but too many side effects including collapsing and massive confusion, so he switched me to 80 mg pravastatin for about 4.5 months. None lowered my cholesterol! Then I started 500 mg niacin and 1 tablespoon Metamucil late in the day, and my cholesterol went from 300 to 200 in 1 month. My doctor made me start 20 mg simvastatin again, but it never lowered anything. All statins caused me so much pain, confusion, depression, cramping hands, legs, itching plaque skin, blurred vision, hearing loss, tiredness, and more, BUT NONE LOWERED MY CHOLESTEROL. I have been statin-free for about 3 weeks, and all my side effects are going away. I have energy and happiness again."

• 345...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2013

Zocor (simvastatin) for High Cholesterol "Only been taking for about two weeks. Feel lethargic, achy, headache, hot flashes are worse. Depression, occasional stomach pain. Muscle pain."