Simvastatin 5 mg tablet

What is Simvastatin used for?

Simvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." It reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

From the medicine catalogue, not written by us. It describes the molecule in general, not your situation — what you were prescribed it for is on your prescription.

What it costs

MRP is subject to change. These prices come from a dated snapshot — always check the price printed on the pack.

How much of it to take

This catalogue does not carry dosing information. How much to take, and how often, depends on you — your age, weight, kidney function and the other medicines you are on — so it comes from your prescription or your doctor, not from here.

Before you switch to a cheaper version

These products have the same composition, strength and dose form. Prices vary by brand and pharmacy — confirm cost and suitability with your doctor or pharmacist before switching.

Two cautions worth carrying into that conversation. A modified-release product (marked SR, XR, CR or ER) is not interchangeable with a plain one of the same strength. And for a small group of medicines with a narrow safe range — warfarin, thyroxine, phenytoin, lithium, some immunosuppressants — staying on one brand is the safer default, and any change should be monitored.

Other products with the same composition (17 in the catalogue)

Listed alphabetically, with products sold under the molecule name first — those are typically the cheapest on the shelf.

Where to buy the generic

Jan Aushadhi Kendras are government-run stores selling the same molecules under their generic names. There are several thousand across India; the prices above are the PMBI list price. Any pharmacy can also dispense a generic if you ask for the composition rather than the brand.