Simvastatin is one of the oldest and most affordable statins, and it remains widely used in Nigeria as a budget-friendly way to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is available as the original brand Zocor (Merck/MSD) and, more commonly, as inexpensive generics such as Simvor and Simcard. For people who need modest cholesterol lowering and want to keep the long-term cost down, simvastatin is often the practical choice.
In the NAFDAC register
7 registered products
from 4 registration holders
What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Simvastatin in Nigeria
Those 7 products from 4 registration holders, counted in our October 2026 copy of the register, include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zocor | Merck (MSD) | 10mg, 20mg, 40mg | Tablet |
| Simvor | Sun Pharma | 10mg, 20mg | Tablet |
| Simcard | Cipla | 10mg, 20mg | Tablet |
Simvastatin Price in Nigeria
Simvastatin prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Simvastatin is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack — all genuine simvastatin brands sold in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
- 2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app before you buy
- 3Buy only from licensed pharmacies and registered outlets, even for cheaper generics
- 4Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed, intact, and shows no signs of tampering
- 5Genuine tablets should be uniform in size, shape, and colour; discard any that look irregular or discoloured
- 6For Zocor, look for Merck/MSD branding; for generics such as Simvor (Sun Pharma) or Simcard (Cipla), check the manufacturer name and batch number
Where to Buy
Buying Simvastatin wholesale, by the carton
Cartons of simvastatin are bought at Nigeria's open drug markets: Idumota Market in Lagos, Ogbogwu Market in Onitsha, Ariaria Market in Aba and Sabon Gari Market in Kano. Each guide says where the market is and how to buy there safely; where we list sellers, they are named.
- Idumota Market, Lagos · wholesale sellers in Idumota Market
- Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha
- Ariaria Market, Aba
- Sabon Gari Market, Kano
No shop we list has Simvastatin on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Which one are you?
I'm buying simvastatin
Tell us what you need and the quantity, and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source. Free, no obligation.
I sell simvastatin
Get a free page where buyers look for them: your products, your number, how to find your shop. Independent of NAFDAC and government. Nothing goes live until you have seen it and approved it. Why list? →
See a listed shop: Blessed Michael Pharmacy → · or sign up yourself →
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Simvastatin in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Simvastatin in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Simvastatin?
Simvastatin works like every statin — by blocking HMG-CoA reductase, the liver enzyme that makes cholesterol — which lowers 'bad' LDL cholesterol and helps protect the arteries. Two things set it apart from the newer statins. First, it is best taken in the evening, because the body makes most of its cholesterol overnight and simvastatin does not stay active as long as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. Second, it interacts with more medicines than the newer statins, which limits its safe dose in certain combinations.
The most important interaction in Nigeria involves amlodipine, one of the country's most prescribed blood pressure medicines: when taken together, the simvastatin dose should not exceed 20mg a day. Grapefruit juice raises simvastatin levels significantly and should be avoided. Because of these limits, doctors often reserve simvastatin for people needing gentler cholesterol lowering, and choose atorvastatin or rosuvastatin when a higher dose or fewer interactions are needed. Genuine simvastatin brands in Nigeria should carry a NAFDAC registration number.
What is Simvastatin used for?
In Nigeria, Simvastatin is commonly used for:
- Lowering high LDL ('bad') cholesterol and total cholesterol, particularly where modest lowering is enough
- Reducing the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in people at cardiovascular risk
- Secondary prevention after a heart attack, stroke, or angina
- An affordable long-term statin option, especially where cost is a major consideration
- Cholesterol control alongside diet and lifestyle change
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The usual starting dose is 10mg or 20mg once daily in the evening, with or without food. Depending on your cholesterol and risk, the dose may be increased to 40mg once daily. The 80mg dose is generally avoided because of the higher risk of muscle problems. If you also take amlodipine, diltiazem, or verapamil, your simvastatin dose should not exceed 20mg daily. Swallow the tablet whole with water.
Children
Simvastatin is used in children (usually aged 10 and above) only for inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolaemia), and only under specialist supervision. It is not used for ordinary cholesterol control in children.
Elderly
Standard doses are used, but doctors often start low and review for muscle symptoms, particularly in frail older adults or those on several other medicines.
Take simvastatin in the evening for best effect, and take it every day — its benefit is on long-term risk, so you will not feel it working. Do not stop because a cholesterol result has improved; the result is good because the medicine is working. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which sharply raise simvastatin levels. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one at the usual time — do not double up.
Side Effects
General information for a reader holding a pack, not a substitute for a doctor or pharmacist. If something on the serious list is happening, seek care now.
Common side effects
- •Muscle aches or weakness (myalgia) — usually mild; report unusual or persistent pain rather than stopping on your own
- •Headache
- •Constipation, abdominal pain, or nausea
- •Dizziness
- •Mildly raised blood sugar, and a small increase in the risk of developing type-2 diabetes in predisposed people
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe, unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness — especially with dark or cola-coloured urine and fever — which may signal rare but serious muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis); stop and seek urgent care. This risk is higher at 40mg, with certain interacting drugs, and with grapefruit
- Signs of liver problems: persistent nausea, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or dark urine
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing
When to see a doctor
See your doctor promptly if you develop unusual, widespread, or persistent muscle pain or weakness, especially with dark urine or fever — the risk of muscle problems with simvastatin is higher than with newer statins, particularly at 40mg or with interacting drugs. Seek emergency care for facial or throat swelling or difficulty breathing. Your doctor may switch you to a statin with fewer interactions, such as rosuvastatin, if problems arise.
Warnings & Precautions
General information for a reader holding a pack, not a substitute for a doctor or pharmacist. If something on the serious list is happening, seek care now.
Do not take Simvastatin if you have:
- Do not take simvastatin if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Do not use if you have active liver disease or persistently raised liver enzymes
- Do not take with certain strong interacting medicines (see interactions), which greatly raise the risk of muscle damage
- Do not take if you are allergic to simvastatin or any other statin
Drug interactions
- •Amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil (common heart and blood pressure medicines) — limit simvastatin to a maximum of 20mg daily when combined
- •Certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin) and antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole) must not be taken with simvastatin — they can cause dangerous muscle breakdown
- •Some HIV medicines (protease inhibitors) are contraindicated with simvastatin
- •Fibrates (especially gemfibrozil) and high-dose niacin increase the risk of muscle problems
- •Grapefruit and grapefruit juice sharply raise simvastatin levels and must be avoided
- •Warfarin — simvastatin can increase the blood-thinning effect; INR should be monitored when starting or changing the dose
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Simvastatin is contraindicated in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Statins block the cholesterol production that a developing baby needs, so they must not be used in pregnancy. Women who could become pregnant should use reliable contraception while taking simvastatin and stop it, informing their doctor, if they plan to conceive or discover they are pregnant. It should not be used while breastfeeding.
Related Resources for Simvastatin
Guides, articles, and tools related to Simvastatin and other cholesterol medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Simvastatin on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Simvastatin is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Simvastatin.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.