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Simvastatin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 12, 2022.

Applies to the following strengths: 80 mg; 5 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 20 mg/5 mL; 40 mg/5 mL

Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Initial dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 5 to 40 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Restricted Use (due to myopathy risk): 80 mg/day should only be used in patients who have been taking this drug chronically (e.g. for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity

Comments:

Uses: As one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia, specifically:

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Initial dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 5 to 40 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Restricted Use (due to myopathy risk): 80 mg/day should only be used in patients who have been taking this drug chronically (e.g. for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity

Comments:

Uses: As one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia, specifically:

Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

40 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Restricted Use (due to myopathy risk): 80 mg/day should only be used in patients who have been taking this drug chronically (e.g. for 12 months or more) without evidence of muscle toxicity

Comments:


Use: To reduce total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

10 years or older:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day in the evening
Maintenance dose: 10 to 40 mg orally once a day in the evening
Maximum dose: 40 mg orally once a day in the evening

Comments:


Uses: As an adjunct to diet to reduce total-C, LDL-C, and Apo B levels in adolescent boys and girls who are at least one year postmenarche (10 to 17 years) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), if after an adequate trial of diet therapy the following findings are present:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: No adjustment recommended
Severe renal dysfunction: Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day; monitor closely

Liver Dose Adjustments

Active liver disease or unexplained transaminase elevations: Contraindicated


Interrupt therapy if serious liver injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice develop; investigate cause, if an alternative etiology is not found, do not restart

Dose Adjustments

Restricted Use of Simvastatin 80 mg/day:



Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium Guideline (CPIC):

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 10 years, nor in pre-menarchal girls.

Consult WARNINGS section for dosing related precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Oral Suspension:

Storage:

General:

Monitor:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.