13 Simvastatin Side Effects You Should Know About

Simvastatin (Zocor) is in a class of prescription medications called statins. It can have beneficial effects on your cholesterol levels, heart, and blood vessels. But it’s also known to cause bothersome side effects, such as muscle pain.

While this is true, muscle pain from statins isn’t as common as you may think. And there are several ways to manage it, including adjusting the dose of your medication. Other common side effects of statins include headaches, abdominal pain, and constipation.

Keep in mind that most people taking statins don’t report any side effects. If you do experience side effects, it’s important to know how to manage them and, if necessary, when to get medical care.

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Simvastatin side effects at a glance

Just like all medications, simvastatin has side effects to be aware of. They can vary in severity and may depend on your dose and other factors. Some are more common, while others happen less frequently.

Common simvastatin side effects (reported by at least 2% of people in clinical trials) include:

• Headache

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Upper respiratory infection

• Urinary tract infection

• Itchy skin

Less common but potentially serious simvastatin side effects include:

• Dizziness and increased risk of falls

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

• Muscle pain or damage

• Liver damage

• Increased blood glucose (sugar)

• Forgetfulness or memory impairment

When you’re aware of what to expect from taking simvastatin, you’re able to better prepare in case any issues arise. Speaking with a healthcare professional can also help you take precautions to prevent certain simvastatin side effects from happening or becoming a problem. Below, you can find more detail about 13 simvastatin side effects.

1. Upper respiratory infections

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are a commonly reported simvastatin side effect. These infections may cause symptoms including a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough.

URIs are usually caused by viruses and start to resolve within 10 days on their own. In the meantime, you may be able to ease your symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications.

If you’re not feeling any better by Day 10, your infection may be caused by bacteria. In this case, you may need to take an antibiotic to treat the infection. If you develop a fever that lasts for several days, chest pain, or shortness of breath, contact your healthcare team right away.

2. Dizziness and falls

Although it’s not fully understood why this happens, some people may notice a decrease in balance when taking simvastatin. This most commonly occurs in people over the age of 60, which may result in a higher fall risk.

If you’re feeling dizzy or off-balance, sit or lie down until the feeling passes. Call for help if you feel like you can’t get up safely on your own. Until you know how simvastatin affects you, avoid performing tasks that can be dangerous if you’re dizzy.

After starting simvastatin, if you experience dizziness or balance issues, contact your prescriber. They will be able to assess if simvastatin might be the cause.

3. Irregular heartbeat

Some people may notice a fast or irregular heartbeat (called atrial fibrillation or AFib), while taking simvastatin. However, people who weren’t taking simvastatin reported this side effect to a similar degree during clinical trials.

One review and meta-analysis found that statins may actually lower the risk of AFib in people with a normal heart rhythm. And if you have AFib, statins have been shown to lower the risk of stroke. Simvastatin is also prescribed for people with coronary artery disease (CAD), which can increase the risk of AFib on its own.

Tell your healthcare team right away if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat after starting simvastatin. They can help determine the cause and best next steps.

4. Headache

Headaches are another common simvastatin side effect. They may subside as your body gets used to the medication. But it’s important to keep in mind that headaches can have several other causes.

If your headaches become bothersome, your healthcare team may suggest an OTC pain reliever. There are also some home remedies that may help relieve the pain. But if the headaches are severe or don’t go away, let your prescriber know.

Go to the nearest ER if your headache is accompanied by confusion or fainting, feels unusually or extremely painful, or gets worse when you’re lying down.

5. Abdominal pain

Another common simvastatin side effect is abdominal pain. Since abdominal pain can be caused by several different things, it’s important to let your prescriber know if it occurs. Pay close attention to where on your body the pain is coming from.

Abdominal pain that’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and swelling, can be a sign of something more serious, including liver damage. Contact your prescriber right away if this occurs. If your abdominal pain is severe, go to the nearest ER.

6. Constipation

Some people experience constipation while taking simvastatin. Drinking plenty of fluids, eating fiber, and staying active can help prevent or relieve constipation. If these changes don’t provide relief, talk to your pharmacist about giving OTC laxatives a try. They can help you find the best option to get things moving again.

If your constipation becomes painful or doesn’t seem to be letting up, contact your prescriber. They can help you determine if something else is causing your constipation and how you can resolve it.

7. Nausea

You may experience nausea when taking simvastatin, which can be taken with or without food. If the medication is making you feel nauseous, try taking your doses with a small meal or snack to see if that helps. The liquid version of simvastatin (FloLipid), however, should be taken on an empty stomach.

If your nausea continues or you experience vomiting, contact your prescriber. They can help you determine what’s causing your nausea and how to manage your symptoms. In some cases, your prescriber may recommend an anti-nausea medication to help you get some relief.

8. Itchy skin

Another possible simvastatin side effect is eczema, or dry itchy skin. It’s not fully known how simvastatin causes itchy skin. Studies have shown that eczema may be more likely for people over 60.

There are many OTC options to treat eczema. Topical moisturizers (Aquaphor or Vaseline) can keep your skin moisturized. If the itching flares up, short-term application of low-potency topical steroids (such as hydrocortisone) may help.

If these topical therapies do not help, talk with your prescriber about other options. They may lower your simvastatin dose or recommend other eczema treatments.

9. Muscle pain

Muscle symptoms, including muscle pain, are reported by people taking simvastatin and other statins. However, recent evidence suggests that the muscle pain isn’t actually being caused by the statin in most cases.

When statin-induced muscle pain does occur, it may be more likely to affect people who are taking higher statin doses, are 65 or older, or have kidney problems. In this case, people with severe kidney disease may need to take a lower simvastatin dose.

Taking simvastatin with certain medications that interact with it can also increase the risk of muscle pain. You may need to take a lower simvastatin dose if you’re also taking one of these medications. Common examples include amlodipine (Norvasc) and verapamil.

If you’re experiencing muscle pain while taking simvastatin, let your prescriber know. They can help you determine the cause of the pain and recommend potential next steps. This may include lowering your simvastatin dose or having you take a temporary break from the medication. Your prescriber might also suggest taking a statin that has a lower risk of muscle pain.

10. Severe muscle damage

While rare, simvastatin can cause severe muscle damage, resulting in a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney failure if the tissue from the damaged muscle starts clogging up the kidneys.

Muscle pain, along with weakness and tea-colored urine, are the most common indicators of rhabdomyolysis. Contact your prescriber right away if you experience these symptoms. You’ll typically need to be treated in a hospital to help protect your kidneys from further damage.

11. Liver damage

Simvastatin can affect your liver, causing changes in your liver enzymes. This may happen shortly after you start treatment. For most people, these effects don’t cause any noticeable symptoms, and the situation improves or goes away over time.

In rare cases, serious liver damage is possible. If you have a history of liver problems or drink large amounts of alcohol, you may have a higher risk of liver damage from simvastatin.

If you notice signs or symptoms of liver damage, contact your prescriber right away. You should look out for:

• Loss of appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Dark-colored urine

• Weakness or fatigue

• Yellowing of skin or eyes

A healthcare professional may check your liver function tests when you start simvastatin and periodically during treatment. If your liver enzymes are elevated, your prescriber may monitor them more closely or have you stop simvastatin for a period of time.

12. Increased blood glucose levels

Simvastatin is often used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain people with diabetes. It can also increase blood glucose (sugar) levels. This is because statins may interfere with how well insulin works in your body.

If you have diabetes, you may have higher blood glucose levels while taking simvastatin. Your prescriber may want to keep a close eye on your levels during treatment. This may include monitoring your blood glucose levels at home and notifying them of any changes. If you have diabetes risk factors, simvastatin may increase your risk of developing diabetes. To lower this risk, regular exercise and a diabetes-friendly diet can help.

Keep in mind that simvastatin’s cardiovascular benefits often outweigh the potential risk of new or worsening diabetes. In fact, taking a statin is recommended for many people who have diabetes. If you have questions about your treatment plan, talk to your prescriber.

13. Memory impairment and confusion

Although rare, some people have reported memory loss or forgetfulness while taking simvastatin. This feeling of confusion was noted to be mild, and memory returned shortly after simvastatin was stopped. However, there isn’t evidence that strongly links these side effects to statins. What’s more, some studies have found protective effects instead.

If you experience any increase in memory impairment while taking simvastatin, talk to your prescriber. This will allow them to determine if this issue is related to simvastatin or something else. Don’t stop taking simvastatin unless you’ve been told to do so.

When should you contact your prescriber about simvastatin side effects?

Most simvastatin side effects are mild and can be managed at home. You should contact your prescriber if you have side effects that are bothersome or concerning. Your care team can help you figure out how best to treat your symptoms. Some side effects, such as changes in liver enzymes and increased blood glucose levels, may need to be monitored as part of your routine follow-up care.

In particular, muscle pain with weakness and tea-colored urine shouldn’t be ignored. Abdominal pain with yellowing of the skin and eyes can also be a sign of something more serious. Contact your prescriber right away if these more serious simvastatin side effects occur.

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Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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