https://interactions.guidetherapeutiquevih.com/en/interaction-details?id=1711

Ritonavir

Simvastatin

Contraindicated.

No pharmaceutical opinion available for this interaction.

Mechanism

Ritonavir can inhibit the metabolism (CYP 3A4) and increase the plasma concentration of Simvastatin.

Ritonavir

Pharmacodynamic effects

–

Recommendations

–

Alternative solution(s)

–

Simvastatin

Pharmacodynamic effects

Possible increased risk of HMG CoA inhibitor toxicity.

Recommendations

Contraindicated. Use alternative.

In patients already being treated with this combination and tolerating it, if deemed appropriate, keep actual treatment and exercise close monitoring of adverse effects.

Alternative solution(s)

See atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin.

Monitor

Symptoms of toxicity associated with hypolipidemic agents : gastrointestinal effects, fatigue and muscular weaknesses, myalgias, muscular cramps, myopathies, rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria leading to renal insufficiency.

Tests

AST

ALT

CK

Pharmacokinetic parameters

–

Comment

Due to the significant first-pass effect of lovastatin and simvastatin in the liver via CYP3A4, coadministration of these drugs with PIs is contraindicated. Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported.

A pharmacokinetic study with simvastatin 40 mg QD and saquinavir/ritonavir 400/400 mg BID demonstrated a 30-fold increase in simvastatin AUC.

Ref #911: Case report of rhabdomyolysis within several days of ritonavir being added to regimen that included simvastatin.

Ref #3112: Another case report of rhabdomyolysis and hepatotoxicity following atorvastatin substitution by simvastatin.

Comment
Reference
  • 122
    Ritonavir (Norvir), Corporation AbbVie, Quebec, Canada, 5 juillet 2021.
  • 901
    Fichtenbaum CJ, Gerber JG, Rosenkranz SL, et al. Pharmacokinetic interactions between protease inhibitors and statins in HIV seronegative volunteers: ACTG Study A5047. AIDS 2002 Mar 8;16(4):569-77.
  • 1489
    Dube MP, Stein JH, Aberg JA, et al. Guidelines for the evaluation and management of dyslipidemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy: recommendations of the HIV Medical Association of the Infectious Disease Society of America and the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Clin Infect Dis 2003 Sep 1;37(5):613-627.
  • 911
    Cheng CH, Miller C, Lowe C, et al. Rhabdomyolysis due to probable interaction between simvastatin and ritonavir [In Process Citation]. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2002 Apr 15;59(8):728-30.
  • 2983
    Chauvin B, Drouot S, Barrail-Tran A and Taburet AM. Drug-Drug Interactions between HMG-coA reductase inhibitors (Statins) and Antiretroviral Protease Inhibitors. Clin Pharmacokinet 2013; 52: 815-831.
  • 2796
    Simvastatin (Zocor), Merck, Quebec, Canada, 10 août 2018.
  • 3112
    Bastida C, Also MA, Pericas JM, et al. Rhabdomyolysis and severe hepatotoxicity due to a drug-drug interaction between ritonavir and simvastatin. Could we use the most cost-effective statin in all human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients ? Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2014 Jun 6; 32 (9): 579-82.