Two medicines, side by side
Lovastatin vs simvastatin
Lovastatin and simvastatin are both labeled for heart attack and coronary artery disease and high cholesterol. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lovastatin since 1987 and of simvastatin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0436 per lovastatin 20 mg tablet and $0.0321 per simvastatin 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026).
Check it at the source: the lovastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 2026); the simvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 28, 2025).
Highlights of the lovastatin record
Lovastatin (Mevacor) · label of May 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTherapy with lovastatin tablets USP should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals with dyslipidemia at risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 31, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0436 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the simvastatin record
Simvastatin (Zocor) · label of March 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsZOCOR ® is indicated: To reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing risk of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in adults with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and/or diabetes, who are at high risk of coronary heart disease events. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0321 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 26
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lovastatin label of May 6, 2026, Simvastatin label of March 28, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lovastatin and simvastatin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Generics: lovastatin since 2001; simvastatin since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lovastatin | Simvastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Simvastatin is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to its active β-hydroxyacid form, simvastatin acid, after administration. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 31, 1987 | December 23, 1991 |
| First generic approved | December 17, 2001 | June 23, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0436 per tablet (Lovastatin 20 mg tablet) | $0.0321 per tablet (Simvastatin 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 26 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 25,526 | 248,728 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to lovastatin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions