Simvastatin oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes simvastatin oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for simvastatin. If you want to know more about simvastatin oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Simvastatin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Zocor. Simvastatin also comes in a liquid suspension, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strengths of simvastatin

Simvastatin oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg

Dosage of simvastatin

This article describes the recommended dosages for simvastatin oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of simvastatin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosage of simvastatin in adults

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved simvastatin oral tablet to:

• lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (along with a healthy diet) in adults with hyperlipidemia (high levels of fats in the blood)
• lower LDL cholesterol (along with a healthy diet) due to genetic conditions called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
• treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood)
• treat hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)
• reduce complications, as well as the risk of death, in adults caused by certain conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of simvastatin oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of simvastatin oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

The recommended dosage of simvastatin oral tablet for adults is:

• Recommended dosage: 20–40 mg once per day in the evening
• Maximum dosage: 40 mg once per day*

* An 80 mg dose is no longer recommended, but it used to be. Doctors typically will not prescribe this dose now, but also won’t change this dose if you’ve taken it for a long time without side effects.

Dosage of simvastatin in children

The recommended dosage of simvastatin oral tablet for children ages 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition that causes high cholesterol) is:

• Recommended dosage: 10–40 mg once per day in the evening
• Maximum dosage: 40 mg once per day

Dosage adjustments for simvastatin

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of simvastatin oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may take

Missed dose of simvastatin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of simvastatin oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of simvastatin oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about simvastatin oral tablet and its dosage.

Is simvastatin 20 mg considered a low dose?

Possibly. The recommended dosage range of simvastatin for adults is 20–40 mg once per day. The recommended dosage range for children ages 10 years and older is 10–40 mg once per day. However, doctors may prescribe a lower dosage of 5 mg once per day for adults with severe kidney problems.

If you have questions about the right dosage of simvastatin for you, talk with your doctor.

When is the best time of day to take my simvastatin oral tablet dose?

The drugmaker recommends taking simvastatin oral tablet once per day in the evening. This is the best time of day to take the medication because your body makes the most cholesterol overnight.

If you have more questions about the best time to take simvastatin, talk with your doctor.

Is simvastatin oral tablet taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe simvastatin oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take simvastatin oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How simvastatin is taken

You’ll swallow simvastatin oral tablet once per day in the evening as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take simvastatin in the evening because it helps the drug work more effectively. You can take it with or without food. If you experience nausea, try taking it with food.

The drugmaker hasn’t specified whether simvastatin oral tablet can be cut, chewed, or crushed. Try to swallow the tablet whole. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Simvastatin coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for simvastatin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of simvastatin

It’s important that you do not take more simvastatin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much simvastatin

If you think you’ve taken too much simvastatin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for simvastatin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of simvastatin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take simvastatin oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often will my dosage of simvastatin oral tablet change?
• Will a higher dosage of simvastatin increase my risk of side effects?
• Will my dosage of simvastatin oral tablet be increased if a lower dosage doesn’t seem to be working?
• How long will I take simvastatin?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.