Simvastatin Drug Interactions Associated With Muscle Aches
Serious muscle problems are more common when
simvastatin is first started or when your dosage is increased, but they can happen at any time. There are also certain medicines that, when combined with simvastatin, can increase the risk of serious muscle problems. These medicines include:
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Danazol (Danacrine®)
- Fibrates (such as Lopid®, Tricor®, Triglide®, Antara®, Lofibra®, Lipofen™)
- Niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor®, Nicolar®)
- Erythromycin
- Clarithromycin
- Telithromycin
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Nefazodone (Serzone®)
- Amiodarone (Cordarone®)
- Verapamil (Calan®, Calan SR, Verelan®, Verelan PM, Isoptin®, Covera-HS®)
- Antifungals, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), and itraconazole (Sporanox®).
Grapefruit juice and grapefruit products (including grapefruit supplements) should also be avoided
(see Simvastatin and Grapefruit).
For people taking simvastatin, muscle aches are a common problem, especially during the beginning phases of treatment or when the dose is increased. While taking simvastatin, if muscle aches become a problem, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may be able to give you other suggestions for dealing with this. If the problem continues, he or she may also recommend adjusting your dosage or switching to one of the
simvastatin alternatives.
Also, if muscle aches, weakness, pain, or tenderness occurs when you have a fever or feel ill, it can mean there is a serious problem. Call your healthcare provider immediately.
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