Simvastatin

Order Simvastatin Cholesterol Tablets Online

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can order simvastatin tablets online from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. You will need to complete an online consultation which our UK registered doctors will review. If approved by our doctors, a prescription will be sent to our pharmacy team. They will then dispense and dispatch the medication to your chosen address.

Please note that this service is only available to patients who are already prescribed this medicine from their GP.

Statins are used long term to reduce high cholesterol levels. At Simple Online Pharmacy, we can provide a one-off emergency supply to patients. If you have been prescribed statins by us previously, you will not be able to re-order.

What is Simvastatin?

Simvastatin is a medicine used to lower cholesterol in people diagnosed with high cholesterol. It is also prescribed to prevent heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks in at-risk people. Simvastatin belongs to a class of medicines known as statins.

How does it work?

Statins work by blocking a specific enzyme in the body called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is involved in making cholesterol. By blocking this enzyme, statins reduce the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol made in the liver. This reduces the total amount of cholesterol in the body. 

High cholesterol levels are an important risk factor in heart disease. One cause of heart disease is a buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels. This can restrict blood flow and cause heart attacks and strokes. In people with high cholesterol, statins help to decrease the risk of fatty deposits building up and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Other risk factors for heart disease include:

• Increasing age
• A family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol
• Being overweight or obese

Dose

Simvastatin is available in the following strengths:

• 10mg
• 20mg
• 40mg
• 80mg

The simvastatin dosage your doctor prescribes depends on your reason for taking it. Generally, people begin with a low dose of simvastatin which is then increased until it is effective at lowering your cholesterol. 

It should be taken once a day in the evening or bedtime. Simvastatin is more effective if taken at night. The maximum dose is 80mg a day.

If you forget to take a dose, do not take an extra dose. Just take your usual dose the next day at the regular time.

Simvastatin Summary

Alternatives

A number of statins are available on prescription:

• Atorvastatin
• Pravastatin
• Fluvastatin
• Rosuvastatin

Although statins are very commonly used to lower cholesterol, there are other medicines that can be used to do the same. Examples of these other medicines include:

• Fenofibrate
• Bezafibrate
• Ezetimibe

PCSK9 inhibitors are a new type of treatment for high cholesterol which are injected rather than taken by mouth.

What is simvastatin?

Simvastatin is a prescription medication which is commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. It belongs to a group of medicines called statins.

What is the drug simvastatin used for?

Simvastatin is a drug that lowers cholesterol. It is used in people who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol. It can also be used to prevent heart disease and the complications of heart disease like heart attacks and strokes.

What foods should be avoided when taking statins?

Grapefruit juice can change the effects of certain statins like simvastatin. You should avoid consuming grapefruit juice whilst taking statins.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while taking statins can cause problems and should also be avoided. Your doctor may advise you to stop drinking alcohol altogether or to keep your consumption within the guidelines.

What medications should not be taken with simvastatin?

Simvastatin can interact with a number of different medicines. Some of these are listed below:

• Certain antibacterial medicines e.g erythromycin, clarithromycin, fusidic acid
• Certain medicines used to treat Hepatitis C
• Certain anti-HIV medicines
• Certain antifungal medicines e.g itraconazole, ketoconazole
• Certain medicines used to treat Hepatitis C

The patient information leaflet contains a comprehensive list of medicines that can interact with simvastatin.

What are the most common side effects of simvastatin?

Common side effects of all statins include:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Trouble sleeping

If any of the following simvastatin side effects occur, speak to your doctor immediately:

• Muscle pain, cramps, weakness or tenderness
• Severe muscle pain
• Yellowing of the skin
• Rash
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, tongue, and throat

The patient information leaflet contains more information on the side effects of simvastatin.

Can you stop taking statins?

Many people can be on statins for life but in some cases, your doctor may stop your statin. You should not stop taking your statin without speaking to your doctor. If you stop taking your statin, your cholesterol levels may rise again and increase the risk of heart problems.

Can I order simvastatin online?

Simvastatin (UK) can be prescribed online. Please note, before prescribing any medication our doctors have to assess how suitable each medicine is for every patient. You will need to complete a medical assessment which is assessed by our doctors.

If approved, a prescription is sent to our pharmacy team. The pharmacists will then dispense and dispatch the medicine to your chosen address. The simvastatin price (UK) is also subject to our price guarantee.

Please note that this service is only available to patients who are already prescribed this medicine from their GP.

Simvastatin side effects

There is a risk of side effects when taking any medicine. Simvastatin is generally a very safe medicine and it is unusual to have side effects.

If any of the following simvastatin side effects occur, speak to your doctor immediately:

• Muscle pain, cramps, weakness or tenderness
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
• Severe muscle pain
• Rash
• Yellowing of the skin

Common side effects of all statins include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

The patient information leaflet contains more information on the side effects.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Simvastatin 10mg PIL
• Simvastatin 20mg PIL
• Simvastatin 40mg PIL
• Simvastatin 80mg PIL

Simvastatin Warnings and Precautions

Other conditions and simvastatin

When completing the online assessment, it is important to mention any medical conditions you have.

Simvastatin should not be used in the following circumstances:

• If you currently have liver disease
• If you are breastfeeding
• If you are pregnant
• If you are allergic to simvastatin or any of the ingredients

Further information can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Interactions with other medicines

Simvastatin can interact with a number of different medicines. Some of these are listed below:

• Certain antifungal medicines e.g itraconazole, ketoconazole
• Certain antibacterial medicines e.g erythromycin, clarithromycin, fusidic acid
• Certain anti-HIV medicines
• Certain medicines used to treat Hepatitis C

The patient information leaflet contains a comprehensive list of medicines that can interact with simvastatin. 

Grapefruit juice can affect the way simvastatin works. Due to this, you should avoid consuming grapefruit juice whilst taking simvastatin.