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Simvastatin 5 mg
Simvastatin (Zocor®) is a medication often prescribed to people with high cholesterol or high triglycerides.
The drug comes in tablet form and is available in several different strengths, including:
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
- 40 mg
- 80 mg.
The usual starting dosage for adults is 20 mg to 40 mg once daily, taken in the evening. If your cholesterol goals are not reached after several weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage as needed but not more than 40 mg a day. The 80-mg dosage carries a higher risk for serious side effects and is reserved only for people who have already been taking 80 mg daily for more than a year without any evidence of muscle problems.
The average daily dose for most people taking this medication is 5 mg to 40 mg a day.
For children ages 10 to 17, the recommended starting simvastatin dosage is 10 mg once a day. The child's healthcare provider may increase this dosage to a maximum of 40 mg daily (if necessary).
(Click Dosing With Simvastatin to learn more about dosing for this medication and for tips and precautions on using simvastatin tablets.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD