To Evaluate the Lipid-Lowering Efficacy and Safety of Simvastatin 40 Mg Tablet In Patients With Hypercholesterolemia (0733-264)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patient, \>18 years of age * Patients with hypercholesterolemia who meet the following lipid criteria: 1. primary cholesterolemia: total cholesterol\>=240 mg/dl or ldl-c \>= 160 mg/dl 2. secondary cholesterolemia (patients with cad, dm): ldl-c\>=130 mg/dl * The patient is willing to follow an NCEP therapeutic lifestyle changes (tlc) or similar cholesterol-lowering diet throughout the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: * Congestive heart failure (NYHA class III or IV), uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias, unstable angina pectoris * Myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or angioplasty within 3 months of visit 1 * Uncontrolled hypertension with systolic blood pressure \> 160 mmhg or diastolic \> 100 mmhg at visit 1. * Unstable diabetes (hba1c \>9%) or newly diagnosed (within 3 months)or change in anti-diabetes medications within 3 months of screening