Does Simvastatin Cause Muscle Pain?
While most people tolerate
simvastatin (
Zocor®) well, there are some possible side effects with the drug. One common side effect in people who take simvastatin is muscle pain. In previous clinical studies, this problem occurred in up to 1.2 percent of people taking the medicine.
Muscle Pain With Simvastatin: What to Watch For
Most people who have muscle pain while on simvastatin have no other muscle symptoms. However, in rare cases (less than 0.1 percent), people can develop a serious problem with their muscles while taking this drug, with muscle pain being one of its symptoms. Two serious muscle problems that are rarely seen in people taking simvastatin are myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is serious because it can cause muscles to break down, which can cause the kidneys to stop working properly (called acute kidney failure) and result in loss of life.
If, while taking simvastatin, you develop muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if you also have a fever or feel ill), call your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign that you have a serious condition that needs treatment right away.
Medicines That Increase the Risk of Muscle Pain
While serious muscle problems are more common when simvastatin is first started or when the dosage is increased, problems can develop at any time.
There are also certain medicines that, when taken with simvastatin, can increase the risk of serious muscle problems. These medicines include:
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Danazol (Danacrine®)
- Fibrates (Lopid®, Tricor®, Triglide®, Antara®, Lofibra®, Lipofen™)
- Niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor®, Nicolar®)
- Erythromycin
- Clarithromycin
- Telithromycin
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Nefazodone (Serzone®)
- Amiodarone (Cordarone®)
- Verapamil (Calan®, Calan SR, Verelan®, Verelan PM, Isoptin®, Covera-HS®)
- Antifungals, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), and itraconazole (Sporanox®).
You should also avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit products (including grapefruit supplements) while taking simvastatin
(see Simvastatin and Grapefruit).
