Simvastatin with Eslicarbazepine Acetate Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Simvastatin
- Flolipid®
- Juvisync® (as a combination product containing Simvastatin, Sitagliptin)
- Simcor® (as a combination product containing Niacin, Simvastatin)
- Simvastatin
- Vytorin® (as a combination product containing Ezetimibe, Simvastatin)
- Zocor®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 10, 2023
Interaction Effect
Reduced simvastatin exposure
Interaction Summary
Coadministration of eslicarbazepine, a CYP3A4 inducer, with simvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, may reduce simvastatin plasma concentrations. If used concurrently, adjust the simvastatin dose if a clinically significant change in lipid levels occurs. In a randomized, open-label study of 30 healthy volunteers, coadministration resulted in a reduction in AUC of both simvastatin and its metabolite of up to 54% and a reduction of up to 60% in Cmax .
Severity
Major
Onset
Unspecified
Evidence
Established
How To Manage Interaction
Coadministration of eslicarbazepine with simvastatin may reduce simvastatin exposure. If used concurrently, adjust the simvastatin dose if a clinically significant change in lipid levels occurs.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated simvastatin metabolism by eslicarbazepine
Literature Reports
A) Coadministration of eslicarbazepine and simvastatin resulted in a reduction in AUC of both simvastatin and its metabolite of up to 54% and a reduction of up to 60% in Cmax in a randomized, open-label study of 30 healthy volunteers. Subjects received simvastatin 80 mg either alone or after eslicarbazepine 800 mg daily for 14 days and then after a 3 week or greater washout period, crossed over to the other treatment. When coadministered, the mean simvastatin AUC was reduced from 93.9 to 43.3 nanograms (ng) x hr/mL, and mean Cmax reduced from 17.7 to 6.9 ng/mL. The AUC and Cmax of the metabolite were also significantly reduced .
Simvastatin Overview
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Simvastatin is used together with diet, weight-loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Simvastatin is also used to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (''bad cholesterol'') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (''good cholesterol'') in the blood. Simvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Simvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
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Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with simvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.