Prepared by Merck & Co and sold under the brand name Zocor, simvastatin is also is sold in a mixture with ezetimibe as Vytorin, and in combination with niacin. Simvastatin also is available as a single-ingredient generic medication. The FDA has stated that the patients consuming a high dose of this drug may suffer increased risk of muscle damage.

Though, a muscle injury is known as the side effect of statins, the caution highlights the bigger risk of developing muscle injury, including rhabdomyolysis, for patients when they are prescribed to take higher doses of this drug.

The FDA also said that, it was re-evaluating data from a clinical trial which studied cardiovascular disease in patients prescribed 80 milligrams of simvastatin compared to those on 20 milligrams.

Rhabdomyolysis is the gravest variety of muscle disease and can lead to stern kidney damage, kidney failure, and sometimes casualty.

Dr. Eric Colman, deputy director of FDA's Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products cautions patients and health care professionals, to consider all the possible risks and known benefits of any drug before taking on any one treatment or dose of therapy.