Drug interactions
Fenofibrate + Simvastatin
Severity: Moderate
Fenofibrate and Simvastatin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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
Adding a fibrate to simvastatin increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Fenofibrate carries less pharmacokinetic interaction than gemfibrozil, so the combination is used when triglycerides remain high.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fenofibrate and Simvastatin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Fenofibrate belongs to Cardiovascular; Simvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic myotoxicity of statin and fibrate.
What to do
Prefer fenofibrate over gemfibrozil, start with the lowest doses and counsel patients to report muscle symptoms. Check CK if symptoms appear.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Simvastatin
- Atazanavir + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporine + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Danazol + Simvastatin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Fenofibrate
- Atorvastatin + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholic acid + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colchicine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colestipol + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Fenofibrate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fenofibrate with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fenofibrate and Simvastatin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Adding a fibrate to simvastatin increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Fenofibrate carries less pharmacokinetic interaction than gemfibrozil, so the combination is used when triglycerides remain high.
How serious is the interaction between Fenofibrate and Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer fenofibrate over gemfibrozil, start with the lowest doses and counsel patients to report muscle symptoms. Check CK if symptoms appear.
What other medicines interact with Simvastatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Simvastatin with, for example, Atazanavir, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat. The full list is on the Simvastatin page.
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