Interactions
Interactions with other drugs occur, for example, when simvastatin (Simvahexal®) is taken at the same time as other fat-lowering drugs such as fibrates. This increases the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, which can also occur if only the dose of simvastatin is increased. This risk also increases if inhibitors of the enzyme CYP3A4 are taken at the same time.
These inhibitors include antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin or the drug ketoconazole. But also some drugs used in HIV treatment lead to an inhibition of this enzyme.
