Simvastatin for High Cholesterol User Reviews (Page 2)

• Sum...
• September 28, 2012

"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."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

"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

"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."

• Rob...
• April 15, 2017

"Was prescribed this by an endocrinologist who was not aware that this drug causes major spikes in blood sugar. I had to increase the amount of insulin I was taking by about tenfold. This is dangerous because studies have confirmed that high doses of insulin are related to heart disease. So the very disease this is designed to help improve (heart disease) by lowering cholesterol, this drug actually could make heart disease worse (increase my diabetes). Had I stayed on this drug, I'd be dead in a year. No one, especially diabetics, should ever take this drug. It is dangerous and life-threatening. I had muscle cramps and felt horrible. This should be off the market. Manage high cholesterol with diet, skip the drugs. I'm convinced this drug led to a family member's kidney and heart failure."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2015

"I've been on simvastatin 10 mg for the last 6 months. I've noticed the last 4 months or so severe pain in my legs and hips. I can barely move sometimes. Sleeping is very painful at night. There is a stiffness, and I can barely move without pain. I'm going off this cholesterol medication. Calling my doctor soon! I have not had my blood work rechecked yet, so I don't know what my numbers are."

• Lol...
• March 29, 2011

Simvastatin "I was prescribed Zocor back in January 2011, and after about two weeks of taking the medication, I experienced changes that were unusual. My heart was racing, so I stopped. After visiting my doctor to have my blood pressure checked, I informed her that I hadn't been taking the medication. She was not happy and requested I schedule another blood test to check my cholesterol, which I did. A few days after the test, she put me back on Zocor, which I have been taking since March 10th. Since starting back on Zocor, I have experienced not sleeping through the night and continuous burping. I am not very good about exercise and have a problem with my diet, so I do need some type of medication."

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2016

"Eyes get blurry, get severe migraines, itchy bumps on my head and neck. Coughing starts up like I have a chest cold. My doctor is trying to find one that works for me. So far, simvastatin and pravastatin do the same thing to me. I'm allergic to both of these."

• poc...
• July 20, 2015

"Taking drug for over 24 years... Past three years, complained to doctors of breathing problems... recently told of kidney function defect... No mention of simvastatin concerns. I checked the internet and am convinced side effects mentioned are taking place. I am going to a different doctor to check out concerns."

• Sdb...
• June 8, 2021

Simvastatin "I took this medicine for years. I had been having severe muscle problems. The company made changes, and I started breaking out, my eyes turning red and getting infected. It took 6 months to find out it was this medicine. When I stopped it, so did all my problems."

• Dit...
• June 27, 2015

"I am 59, very active, on thyroid and blood pressure medication for at least a year. All was good. Started taking simvastatin due to cholesterol results. Took one at night after dinner, 20 mg for two days. On the second day, while driving, I was getting extremely sleepy. Kept waking myself up by slapping my face. I had a blank moment while driving... woke up when the car hit a curb with a thud! Obviously, now I don't think I will take this simvastatin. I will have to tell my doctor that she almost lost her patient and took a few other people off."

• gra...
• March 4, 2011

"Was prescribed simvastatin, but after taking it for 6 weeks, I became very ill (freezing cold and shivering) and not really knowing what was happening to me. After a visit to the doctor, I was admitted to the hospital as an emergency with liver problems. After blood tests, the nurse confirmed it was the simvastatin that caused the problems. It made me diabetic, in fact, it caused everything in my body to malfunction. So pleased I stopped taking it immediately. It caused bile and bilirubin levels to go through the roof. Happily, after six months and an operation for blocked bile ducts, everything has slowly got back to normal (not diabetic now either)."

• hay...
• May 5, 2017

"I was prescribed Simvastatin for high LDL cholesterol. After taking it as prescribed for several months, my cholesterol levels did reduce to healthy levels. I continued the treatment until I realized that nothing I was eating tasted right. I consulted my pharmacist because I take other medications, and he said it was the statin that had this side effect. I stopped taking it immediately, and my taste has returned to normal, and my cholesterol is elevated again. I will be trying other methods to increase HDL and reduce LDL. After much research, it is clear that statins are dangerous."

• Mrs...
• May 5, 2016

"I have been taking this medication for over 15 years and have experienced leg cramping, sleepless nights due to having to use the restroom, and pain in my hip area. But overall, the medication has helped me to lower my cholesterol over the years. I will say that maybe it's time for my doctor to lower my dosage from 40 mg to 20 mg."

• SKB...
• November 18, 2013

"I have been taking this pill for almost a year. Recently I noticed my hair feels so fine, so tonight I have stopped it. I will call my doc in the morning. I also have felt dizzy, have vision problems. This has just started in the past week. Dizzy I can handle, losing hair, not so much!"

• Lea...
• December 27, 2015

"Neuropathy, muscle weakness, chills, plus more. I only took 10 mg a day, side effects didn't show up for one year. It took 4 years to get over all the pain. The only reason I gave it a 3 was because it took my numbers down. My doctor did not argue with me when I wanted off this med. I know other people who also have stopped this med because of side effects. My husband switched off this drug to another statin as he developed bad neuropathy in his feet and can barely feel them. It started as a burning pain. The only reason he is still taking a statin is because he had a heart attack. He is off the simvastatin."

• akT...
• November 24, 2008

"I am unfortunately one of those who had a bad experience with simvastatin. It may have been the combination with 10 mg lisinopril, 25 mg spironolactone, and 20 mg of furosemide; but I got progressively worse over a five-month period. I went cold turkey one day when my hands were hit with a tremor, and I couldn't type. Within 24 hours of quitting, I could feel the changes, and in one week, I felt better."

• Ste...
• May 6, 2016

"I took simvastatin 5 mg for only 1 month before I could no longer tolerate the headaches and the muscle pain. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago, always very mild pain and very seldom, but now I feel as if the statins have changed this. I have been off the statins for just 1 week. I tell myself that 5 mg for only 1 month should not cause any permanent damage, but I don't know. I'm now treating myself, no more doctors."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2019

"I'm a 45-year-old female with a high cholesterol of 252, so the doc put me on a dose of 10 mg simvastatin. The first month I had side effects of leg cramps, toe numbness, and muscle weakness in my legs, so I consulted with the doc and she recommended taking it every other day. After three months, my cholesterol is down to 198. I've lost weight, so down 25 lbs as I had lost my appetite. I'm still having some weird feelings in my legs occasionally and plan on stopping after the pills are gone."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

"Took this poison twice after dinner with plenty of water and had to stop immediately. I suspect these pills dug a hole in my stomach. Will spare you the specifics. Suffice it to say, a week later I remain on heartburn medication. Let me also point out that my only problem is high cholesterol (a bit above 200), I’m in good shape otherwise. Began walking and watching what I eat."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2009

Simvastatin "I took Zocor for 3 months, then started to have pain, swelling, and loss of strength in hands and fingers. Doctor said that was not one of the side effects of Zocor, but reduce to every other day. Didn't help, so I quit taking it, and within 3 weeks, hands felt better. He changed me to Lipitor in December... we'll see if any side effects develop. Did not have cholesterol checked in the 3 months on Zocor - don't know the effectiveness."

• Jca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 24, 2020

"I was put on this medication in 2011. It lowers my cholesterol, for sure. But the side effects make me skip doses. I feel muscle aches, headaches, and just a general ill feeling while taking simvastatin. It does lower my blood pressure too, though. I saw someone say their doctor recommended taking it every other day. That's kind of what I'm doing. Taking CoQ10 while on this medication helps. Ask your doctor about that. Best wishes to us all trying to get healthier! :)"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2018

"Was put on this drug for high cholesterol, and in the 3 weeks I was on it, the drug caused me nothing but trouble. Started out with gas issues, thought it was my heartburn meds kicking out on me. So I stopped my heartburn meds and still had the gas issues. I sounded like a belching trucker on steroids. It also gave me diarrhea, sore throat, headaches, decrease in appetite, and the really bad passing wind. Stopped the medication, and now I'm back to normal. Still have to take a liver blood work test and hope it didn't damage my already failing kidneys. All at 30, and it took one pill to mess with my system. Wouldn't advise taking this medicine."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 5, 2015

"Started suffering acid reflux after a year on simvastatin. Struggled to swallow it, felt as if it was lodged in my throat. Stopped taking it a month ago, having a blood test this week to check cholesterol level."

• soc...
• December 13, 2016

"I've been on 40 mg simvastatin for 12 years. Lowered my cholesterol from 240 to 160 consistently, and my HDL and LDL both improved. I have had no side effects that I would say are from the medicine. I do have some ankle pain on both sides, but I have played soccer my entire life, so I expect that and doubt it from the meds, but you never know. I'd rather have sore ankles than a heart attack."

• doo...
• November 9, 2017

"Interesting reviews. Over the years, I've been on one cholesterol drug or another. My numbers are down and acceptable to my GP. The latest is the generic simvastatin. Muscle soreness in legs, hips, and wrists have seemed to be my life. Up every two hours to pee like clockwork, sometimes more irritable for no apparent reason, and irregular heartbeats I can feel, and are picked up by my BP machine. After reading these reviews, I'm going to self-de-medicate for a spell to see if my sleep pattern changes, as well as other possible side effects I've listed. It seems too many people have the same symptoms as me, and have stopped taking the medication with positive results."