Simvastatin and Levamlodipine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 4, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Simvastatin
Levamlodipine
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.
Let's talk about taking simvastatin (a cholesterol medicine) together with levamlodipine (a blood pressure medicine). Levamlodipine slows down the liver enzyme that clears simvastatin from your body. That means simvastatin can build up to higher levels than usual, in fact studies with a similar drug showed about a 77% increase.
Higher statin levels raise the risk of muscle-related side effects, like muscle aches or weakness. The good news is this is very manageable. Your care team usually keeps the simvastatin dose lower when these two are used together. Please don't change anything on your own, but do check with your pharmacist or doctor so they can make sure your dose is right for you.
Effect: Increased simvastatin exposure via inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism by levamlodipine (the active enantiomer of amlodipine). Simvastatin is a CYP3A4 substrate; amlodipine 10 mg/day increased simvastatin AUC by ~77%.
Direction: Elevated simvastatin concentrations, raising risk of dose-dependent myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.
- Evidence: Probable
- Onset: Unspecified
- Management: Limit simvastatin to a maximum of 20 mg/day with concomitant levamlodipine.
- Monitor: Muscle symptoms; consider CK if symptomatic.
What happens
Increased simvastatin concentrations
Interaction Deep Dive
Concurrent use of amlodipine 10 mg/day with simvastatin 80 mg/day raised simvastatin exposure by 77%. For patients receiving levamlodipine together with simvastatin, keep the simvastatin dose at no more than 20 mg/day1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A-mediated simvastatin metabolism by levamlodipine
How to manage this interaction
This interaction is well managed with a simple dose limit. Keep taking both medicines as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise.
- Your prescriber will typically limit the simvastatin dose to no more than 20 mg per day while you are also taking levamlodipine.
- Watch for and report muscle pain, tenderness, or unexplained weakness, especially if it comes with dark urine or fever.
- Ask your pharmacist to confirm your current simvastatin dose is appropriate given your levamlodipine.
Your team can tailor the dose and monitor you so both medicines work safely together.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Simvastatin and Levamlodipine together?
Levamlodipine raises simvastatin levels, so the simvastatin dose should be kept at or below 20 mg per day. Check your current dose with your pharmacist or doctor and report any muscle pain. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Simvastatin and Levamlodipine 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 is the Simvastatin and Levamlodipine interaction managed?
This interaction is well managed with a simple dose limit. Keep taking both medicines as prescribed unless your care team tells you otherwise. Your prescriber will typically limit the simvastatin dose to no more than 20 mg per day while you are also taking levamlodipine. Watch for and report muscle pain, tenderness, or unexplained weakness, especially if it comes with dark urine or fever. Ask your… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Simvastatin or Levamlodipine 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: CONJUPRI(R) oral tablets, levamlodipine oral tablets. CSPC Ouyi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (per FDA), Princeton, NJ, 2019. DailyMed
Keep reading about Simvastatin
Keep reading about Levamlodipine
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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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