Drug interactions
Lopinavir + Simvastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Lopinavir and Simvastatin: contraindicated 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
Lopinavir/ritonavir raises simvastatin concentrations substantially and increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lopinavir and Simvastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Lopinavir belongs to Anti Virals; Simvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir inhibits CYP3A4, reducing the first-pass and hepatic metabolism of simvastatin.
What to do
Do not use together; switch to pravastatin or a low dose of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and watch for muscle symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lopinavir 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 Simvastatin
- Atazanavir + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporine + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Danazol + Simvastatin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lopinavir
- Alfuzosin + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Lopinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lopinavir with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Lopinavir and Simvastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Lopinavir/ritonavir raises simvastatin concentrations substantially and increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Lopinavir and Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not use together; switch to pravastatin or a low dose of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and watch for muscle symptoms.
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.
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.
