Drug interactions
Fenofibric acid + Simvastatin
Severity: Moderate
Fenofibric acid 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
Fenofibric acid combined with simvastatin increases the risk of muscle toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis. Pharmacokinetic interaction is minimal, so the added risk is mainly pharmacodynamic.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fenofibric acid 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.
Fenofibric acid belongs to Cardiovascular; Simvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic myotoxicity of statin and fibrate.
What to do
Use only when the added triglyceride benefit is needed, at the lowest effective doses. Counsel on muscle symptoms and check CK if they occur.
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 Fenofibric acid
- Atorvastatin + Fenofibric acid Moderate
- Chlorpropamide + Fenofibric acid Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Fenofibric acid Moderate
- Cholic acid + Fenofibric acid Moderate
- Colchicine + Fenofibric acid Moderate
- Colestipol + Fenofibric acid Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fenofibric acid with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fenofibric acid 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. Fenofibric acid combined with simvastatin increases the risk of muscle toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis. Pharmacokinetic interaction is minimal, so the added risk is mainly pharmacodynamic.
How serious is the interaction between Fenofibric acid 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: Use only when the added triglyceride benefit is needed, at the lowest effective doses. Counsel on muscle symptoms and check CK if they occur.
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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