Encorafenib and Simvastatin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Encorafenib
Simvastatin
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Altered (increased/reduced) simvastatin exposure, an increased risk of simvastatin-related toxicities and reduced efficacy of simvastatin
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid the coadministration of encorafenib (an OATP1B1/OATP1B3 and BCRP inhibitor) with simvastatin (a sensitive CYP3A4/OATP1B1/OATP1B3 and BCRP substrate) as it may alter (increase/ reduce) simvastatin exposure and may lead to reduced efficacy or increased risk of toxicity of simvastatin. When encorafenib is used in combination with simvastatin, monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of increased exposure and consider adjusting the dose of simvastatin. In a drug interaction study, repeated doses of encorafenib 450 mg once daily and binimetinib 45 mg twice daily with a single dose of rosuvastatin (a sensitive OATP1B1/OATP1B3 and BCRP substrate) increased simvastatin Cmax by 2.7-fold and AUC by 1.6-fold1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of BCRP-mediated efflux transport of encorafenib; inhibition of OATP1B1-mediated efflux transport of encorafenib; inhibition of OATP1B3-mediated efflux transport of encorafenib
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) In a drug interaction study, repeated doses of encorafenib 450 mg once daily and binimetinib 45 mg twice daily with a single dose of rosuvastatin (a sensitive OATP1B1/OATP1B3 and BCRP substrate) increased simvastatin Cmax by 2.7-fold and AUC by 1.6-fold 1.
b) In a drug interaction study, repeat dose administration of encorafenib 450 mg once daily and binimetinib 45 mg twice daily with a single dose of midazolam 2 mg, a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate, decreased midazolam AUC by 82% and Cmax by 74% relative to midazolam 2 mg alone 1.
Common questions
Can I take Encorafenib and Simvastatin together?
Altered (increased/reduced) simvastatin exposure, an increased risk of simvastatin-related toxicities and reduced efficacy of simvastatin Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Encorafenib and Simvastatin interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Encorafenib or Simvastatin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: BRAFTOVI(R) oral capsules, encorafenib oral capsules. Array BioPharma Inc (per FDA), Boulder, CO, 2024. DailyMed
Keep reading about Encorafenib
Keep reading about Simvastatin
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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