Simvastatin is one of many drugs that are used to treat high cholesterol and other conditions related to heart disease, Also known as Zocor, this drug is one of the drugs of choice for doctors treating their patients for high cholesterol. While this drug is highly effective, Simvastatin side effects make it necessary for doctors and patients alike to weigh the pros and cons of using this medication before the patient takes it.

Because many of the patients that start taking a high cholesterol medication will be on this medication for the rest of their lives, the Simvastatin side effects can be difficult to impossible to manage. For this reason many people will stop taking Simvastatin which can then put them at risk from their high cholesterol and the potential heart disease that it may lead to.

The most common Simvastatin side effects are muscle pain and this can be one of the hardest to deal with as well as it may manifest itself as a soreness, tiredness, or weakness in the muscles. For some people the pain is very mild while for others it may make every day living difficult at best. You may find that everyday tasks such as walking or climbing stairs may become very tiring and for some almost impossible.

There are other minor side effects that may not be so hard to deal with, such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation this side effects are less common and can be reduced by taking your Simvastatin with a meal. Rash or flushing is common with Simvastatin especially if you are taking it in combination with niacin. Headache, joint pain, memory loss, depression, and a rare condition called rhabdomyolysis are also potential side effects of this medication.

Liver damage is one of the most concerning side effects of this drug, caused by the over production of liver enzymes. A slight increase in enzyme production will not be a cause for alarm but if the enzyme production is too high it can cause permanent liver damage. For this reason doctors will screen your liver enzymes regularly and may put you on a different statin if Simvastatin causes your liver to produce too many enzymes.

Simvastatin can be an excellent medication for the reduction of cholesterol and for many patients it is well tolerated and not a problem, Simvastatin side effects however for those that experience them can be troubling, if you experience such side effects talk to your doctor about the alternatives.