Before taking simvastatin:

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to simvastatin or any other drugs.

You should also tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, especially antiacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin®), cholestyramine (Questran®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), clofibrate (Atromid-S®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), erythromycin, fenofibrate (TriCor®), gemfibrozil (Lopid®), HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir (Norvir®) and saquinavir (Invirase®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nefazodone (Serzone®), niacin (nicotinic acid), and vitamins.

Moreover, please inform your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or heart disease, a severe infection, low blood pressure, or seizures.

Simvastatin can harm the fetus, therefore please tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking simvastatin, stop taking simvastatin and call your doctor immediately. 

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking simvastatin.

Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol increases the side effects caused by simvastatin.

Additionally, plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Simvastatin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

 

FDA Information

Why is this medication prescribed?

Other uses for this medicine

Dosage and using this medicine

What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause?

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

In case of an emergency/overdose