The medication is available by prescription only and comes in five different strengths, including:
The usual starting simvastatin dosage for adults with high
cholesterol is 20 mg to 40 mg once daily, taken at night. Certain people may need to start with a lower dosage, such as those over 65 years of age, who are taking cyclosporine, or who have severe kidney disease. For children ages 10 to 17, the recommended starting dosage is 10 mg once a day.
If needed, your healthcare provider may increase your simvastatin dose after several weeks if your cholesterol goals are not reached. He or she may also decrease your dosage if side effects occur.
(Click Dosing With Simvastatin for more information about this drug, including the various factors that your healthcare provider will consider before making dosing recommendations.)
