Simvastatin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2009

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."

• tri...
• 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."

• Ste...
• May 6, 2016

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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."

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

For High Cholesterol "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! :)"

• 480...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

For High Cholesterol "20 mg x 2 days... 1. Severe headache 2. No energy 3. Weakness 4. Very sleepy 5. Pain in ribs (L side more). I have discontinued the statin and will change diet, take fish oil, and low dose aspirin daily."

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

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."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2014

Simvastatin for High Cholesterol "The side effects of this medication are terrible. The dizziness, headache, and not being able to understand what was going on felt like I was in a cloud."

• ree...
• April 22, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Just started taking it, so no results yet, but I did have a headache the first 4 days I took it."