Drug Interactions Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4, 02/10/2009

Question

Why is simvastatin (Zocor) contraindicated in HIV patients on protease inhibitors (PIs) but not those on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)?

Answer

The cholesterol-lowering medication simvastatin (Zocor®) is considered a first line agent for the treatment of a variety of dyslipidemias and for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, use of simvastatin in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is limited by the potential for this drug to interact with antiretroviral medications, specifically drugs from the protease inhibitor (PI) class.  Use of simvastatin with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), with the exception of delavirdine (a drug rarely used in routine clinical practice), is generally considered safe.(1)......To read the full answer please LOGIN or SUBSCRIBE NOW.