Drug interactions
Roxadustat + Simvastatin
Severity: Moderate
Roxadustat 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
Roxadustat raises simvastatin exposure, increasing the chance of statin-related muscle toxicity. Simvastatin is already prone to myopathy at higher exposures.
What this interaction means in plain words
Roxadustat 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.
Roxadustat belongs to Miscellaneous; Simvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Roxadustat inhibits OATP1B1 and BCRP, reducing hepatic uptake and efflux of statins.
What to do
Monitor for muscle pain, weakness and CK elevation. Consider reducing the simvastatin dose.
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 Roxadustat
- Gemfibrozil + Roxadustat Major
- Probenecid + Roxadustat Major
- Atorvastatin + Roxadustat Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Roxadustat Moderate
- Calcium + Roxadustat Moderate
- Iron + Roxadustat Moderate
Other interactions of Simvastatin
- Atazanavir + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporine + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Simvastatin Contraindicated
- Danazol + Simvastatin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Roxadustat with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Roxadustat 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. Roxadustat raises simvastatin exposure, increasing the chance of statin-related muscle toxicity. Simvastatin is already prone to myopathy at higher exposures.
How serious is the interaction between Roxadustat 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: Monitor for muscle pain, weakness and CK elevation. Consider reducing the simvastatin dose.
What other medicines interact with Roxadustat?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Roxadustat with, for example, Gemfibrozil, Probenecid, Atorvastatin. The full list is on the Roxadustat page.
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