Lovastatin (Greater Than 20 mg); Simvastatin/Danazol Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Very Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Danazol may slow down how quickly your liver processes your cholesterol medicine.

What might happen:

The amount of cholesterol medicine in your blood may increase and damage your muscles.

What you should do about this interaction:

Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know right away that you are taking these medicines together. Your doctor may want to lower your dose of your cholesterol medicine.Tell your doctor right away if you experience muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; unexplained tiredness; or discolored urine.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

  • 1.Mevacor (lovastatin) US prescribing information. Merck & Co., Inc. February, 2014.
  • 2.Zocor (simvastatin) US prescribing information. Merck & Co., Inc. March, 2023.
  • 3.Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) US prescribing information. Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals September, 2020.
  • 4.USFood and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: New restrictions, contraindications, and dose limitations for Zocor (simvastatin) to reduce the risk of muscle injury. available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-com munication-new-restrictions-contraindications-and-dose-limitations-zocor June 8, 2011.
  • 5.Hsieh CY, Chen CH. Rhabdomyolysis and pancreatitis associated with coadministration of danazol 600 mg/d and lovastatin 40 mg/d. Clin Ther 2008 Jul;30(7):1330-5.
  • 6.Khanna S, Mundell WC. Rhadbomyolysis associated with co-administration of danazol and lovastatin. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2011 Jul;72(1):166-7.
  • 7.Dallaire M, Chamberland M. Severe rhabdomyolysis in a patient receiving lovastatin, danazol, and doxycycline. CMAJ 1994 Jun 15;150(12):1991-4.
  • 8.Stankovic I, Vlahovic-Stipac A, Putnikovic B, Cvetkovic Z, Neskovic AN. Concomitant administration of simvastatin and danazol associated with fatal rhabdomyolysis. Clin Ther 2010 May;32(5):909-14.
  • 9.Andreou ER, Ledger S. Potential drug interaction between simvastatin and danazol causing rhabdomyolysis. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2003 Winter; 10(4):172-4.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.