Simvastatin Side Effects

An Overview of Simvastatin Side Effects

Consistent with many chemically produced drugs, Simvastatin tablets do have their fair share of side effects. However, not all users of Simvastatin will have to suffer from Simvastatin side effects. Interestingly, most people under study have a strong threshold against Simvastatin. Even as Simvastatin side effects set in, most patients are reported to have to deal with just minor inconveniences. This means that Simvastatin side effects are either easily treatable or simply require no treatment at all. However, in another separate study, it was found that close to 1.4 percent of Simvastatin users decided to quit this medicine largely due to its side effects.

If you start to complain about pain and tenderness in your muscles, or simply general weakness (more so if that pain is to be accompanied by fever) after taking Simvastatin, it is advisable that you seek out your healthcare provider for help.

Please note that the following Simvastatin side effects do not represent a comprehensive description of side effects related to Simvastatin. For a more thorough understanding on Simvastatin side effects, check with your healthcare provider.

Common Side Effects of Simvastatin

Extensive studies have been commissioned on Simvastatin use and these studies are known to use large sample population in clinical trials, thus improving the accuracy. As in all other medical studies, researchers have documented all related Simvastatin side effects. The following list represents the top 10 observations in the samples (ranked by their prevalent rate):

• Headache (3.5% of population)
• Abdominal pain (3.2 % of population)
• An overall feel of weakness, known also as asthenia, its clinical name (1.6 % of population)
• Constipation (2.3 % of population)
• Diarrhea (1.9 % of population)
• Indigestion, known also as dyspepsia, its clinical name (1.1 % of population)
• Flatulence (1.9 % of population)
• Nausea (1.3 % of population)
• Infections on to upper respiratory (2.1 % of population)
• Muscle pain, known also as myalgia, its clinical name (1.2 % of population).

Rare Simvastatin Side Effects

In one study, the samples were also examined against a number of less observed side effects (defined as symptoms that affect no more than 1 % of population). However, the findings are not conclusive in that researchers were not able to tell if these side effects are the direct consequences of using the medication or are caused by something else.

Some rare Simvastatin side effects are included here:

• Muscle cramps
• Unexplained rash
• Muscle aches
• Serious breakdown of muscle (a.k.a. rhabdomyolysis)
• Itchy skin
• Joint pain
• Worsening of cataracts
• Memory loss
• Insomnia
• Allergic reaction
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Breast development in boys (a.k.a. gynecomastia)
• Pancreatitis
• Eczema
• Hepatitis
• Spinning sensation or vertigo
• Increased liver enzymes
• Impotence (a.k.a. erectile dysfunction or simply ED)

Simvastatin Side Effects: Summary

The bottom line is that there is no way to tell that if you are going to be affected by any of these Simvastatin side effects. You will not know for sure before you try the medication and your doctor will not know either. In that case, it is imperative that you consult your healthcare provider when you suspect the development of any side effect. In addition, we advise you to err on the side of caution. If you feel something that is ""just not right"", check with your doctor. It could be due to a Simvastatin side effect, or not, but leave that diagnosis and related treatment to the expert.