lovastatin vs simvastatin
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of lovastatin and simvastatin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Mevacor, Altoprev
Zocor
Lovastatin is a medicine that helps lower cholesterol levels in your blood. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins.
No summary available.
Lovastatin is used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart problems. It can help prevent heart attacks, unstable angina (chest pain), and the need for procedures to open blocked arteries. It's also used to slow down the hardening of arteries in people who already have heart disease. Lovastatin can also be used in children 10-17 years of age with high cholesterol due to genetic causes.
Information not available.
Lovastatin works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. This helps to lower the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Lowering cholesterol helps to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Information not available.
- • Abdominal pain
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Gas
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Muscle pain
- • Diarrhea
- Fatigue 1,518
- Nausea 1,396
- Diarrhoea 1,251
- Dyspnoea 1,209
- Dizziness 1,147
- Fatigue 13,574
- Nausea 12,945
- Dyspnoea 12,431
- Diarrhoea 11,813
- Dizziness 10,971
Lovastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), which can lead to kidney damage. The risk is higher if you take certain other medicines with lovastatin. You should not take lovastatin if you have liver problems or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
No specific warnings noted.
You should not take lovastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who could become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking lovastatin.
No pregnancy information available.
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How to Read This lovastatin vs simvastatin Comparison
lovastatin is classified in the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) drug class, while simvastatin sits within the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, lovastatin has 6,521 submissions while simvastatin has 61,734. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for lovastatin or simvastatin.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.