This article describes possible interactions with simvastatin oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
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Other drugs and simvastatin
The drugs in the list below may interact with simvastatin oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with simvastatin.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with simvastatin oral tablet include:
- certain antibiotics:
- certain antifungals:
- drug example: ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- certain antivirals:
- drug example: ritonavir, cobicistat (Genvoya, Evotaz)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- other cholesterol drugs:
- drug examples: niacin (Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin) and gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- calcium channel blockers:
- drug examples: amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem CD), verapamil (Verelan)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- certain antiarrhythmics:
- drug example: amiodarone (Pacerone)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- nefazodone:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- danazol:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening
- warfarin:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of bleeding
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When to avoid simvastatin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with simvastatin oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe simvastatin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for simvastatin oral tablet:
- Taking certain drugs that affect liver enzymes: If you take certain drugs that affect liver enzymes, taking simvastatin oral tablet may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening.
- Taking cyclosporine, danazol, or gemfibrozil: If you take these drugs, taking simvastatin oral tablet may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening.
- Liver disease: If you have liver disease, taking simvastatin oral tablet may rarely cause liver failure.
- Past allergic reaction to simvastatin: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to simvastatin oral tablet, taking it again may cause a life threatening allergic reaction.
Before you start taking simvastatin, talk with your doctor about its contraindications. They can recommend whether you should take simvastatin.
Other interactions and simvastatin
Interactions can occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether simvastatin oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with simvastatin.
Simvastatin and food
Simvastatin has interactions with foods, such as grapefruit juice. It’s important that you avoid grapefruit juice while taking simvastatin.
Drinking grapefruit juice with simvastatin may increase the risk of myopathy (unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness) and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown). These side effects can be life threatening.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Simvastatin and supplements
Before taking simvastatin oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Simvastatin interactions with herbs
Simvastatin oral tablet may interact with red yeast rice supplements. This herb is often used for lowering cholesterol.
Taking simvastatin and red yeast rice may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Simvastatin interactions with vitamins
Simvastatin oral tablet may interact with vitamin B3, also known as niacin or nicotinic acid.
Taking large doses of niacin may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Simvastatin and vaccines
Simvastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Simvastatin and lab tests
Simvastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Simvastatin and cannabis or CBD
Studies and reports of cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with simvastatin. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking simvastatin and cannabis or CBD may increase the risk of side effects of simvastatin. This includes myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which can be life threatening.
Before you take simvastatin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Alcohol and simvastatin
Simvastatin oral tablet is known to have interactions with alcohol.
Taking simvastatin oral tablet and drinking alcohol may increase the risk of serious liver damage.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Health factors and simvastatin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with simvastatin oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether simvastatin is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with simvastatin oral tablet:
Preventing simvastatin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with simvastatin oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking simvastatin oral tablet.
Taking simvastatin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about simvastatin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Could I still take simvastatin even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my simvastatin treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
