Drug interactions
Saquinavir + Simvastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Saquinavir and Simvastatin: contraindicated 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
Ritonavir-boosted saquinavir increases simvastatin exposure and the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Saquinavir 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.
Why it happens
Saquinavir with ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4 and OATP1B1, reducing the metabolism and hepatic uptake of simvastatin.
What to do
Do not co-administer; switch to pravastatin or a low-dose alternative statin and monitor for muscle toxicity.
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?
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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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Saquinavir with Simvastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Saquinavir 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. Ritonavir-boosted saquinavir increases simvastatin exposure and the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Saquinavir 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 co-administer; switch to pravastatin or a low-dose alternative statin and monitor for muscle toxicity.
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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