Every medication has its own dose of side effects. It is therefore very essential for high cholesterol patients to be aware of the common simvastatin side effects so they could take necessary steps such as seeking proper medical attention and avoid serious complications associated with simvastatin treatment.The most common simvastatin side effects include several allergic reactions which may include hives, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. You should stop taking simvastatin if you notice the onset of serious side effects like tenderness and weakness of the muscle with associated pain along with fever and flu-like symptoms and dark-colored urine, and inform your doctor immediately. Such symptoms may be warning the patient about myopathy, a disease that affects muscle fibers preventing their proper functioning. Myopathy may cause partial disability of skeleton muscles because of muscular dystrophy. However, in most severe cases myopathy results in death from heart failure or inability to breath. Although myopathy is not so wide spread as high cholesterol, unfortunately, high cholesterol medications are listed as the most common causes of acquired myopathy.Less serious side effects of taking simvastatin may include gastrointestinal upsets like stomach pain, constipation (also indigestion or dyspepsia), diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, and frequent flatulence. Bloating, nausea and heartburn may also occur. Although they may require no medical attention, it is important to watch if these symptoms would manifest on a daily basis and cause serious inconvenience and whether the occurrence will be persistent especially after taking simvastatin.Although most people can tolerate simvastatin well, there are still a small percentage of patients who might encounter the mentioned side effects. In most cases, only minor or those regarded as less serious symptoms develop. They require no medical treatment at all and will pass by as hours after taking the medication pass through. In severe cases when serious symptoms manifest, consultation with a health care provider, especially the one who prescribed simvastatin to you, is very important. Necessary adjustments on the dosage may be imposed so as to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are associated with the medication.There are rare cases of memory loss, insomnia, depression, and anxiety in patients on simvastatin. In unique cases, male patients may develop breasts. This is a condition called gynecomastia. Erectile dysfunction also occurs in very rare cases. Cognitive deficits such as memory loss are reported to occur in some patients.
You can find more about simvastatin, patients’ experiences and simvastatin side effects at Simvastatin.Me website.