Drug interactions
Dronedarone + Simvastatin
Severity: Major
Dronedarone and Simvastatin: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Dronedarone raises simvastatin concentrations, increasing the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The effect is dose-related and is clinically relevant at higher simvastatin doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dronedarone and Simvastatin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Dronedarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Simvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Dronedarone inhibits intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4, reducing simvastatin first-pass and systemic metabolism.
What to do
Limit simvastatin to 10 mg daily with dronedarone, or switch to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin. Counsel patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dronedarone and Simvastatin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
Other interactions of Dronedarone
- Adagrasib + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Simvastatin
- Atazanavir + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Danazol + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Simvastatin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dronedarone with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Dronedarone and Simvastatin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Dronedarone raises simvastatin concentrations, increasing the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The effect is dose-related and is clinically relevant at higher simvastatin doses.
How serious is the interaction between Dronedarone and Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit simvastatin to 10 mg daily with dronedarone, or switch to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin. Counsel patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
What other medicines interact with Dronedarone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dronedarone with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Dronedarone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
