Important note: Information in this article was accurate in July 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
HIV Treatment Bulletin - Vol. 5, No. 6, July 2004
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
Mainstream press and TV items recently reported that Britain will soon become the first country to allow the sale of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin (Zocor) without a prescription. This is in a move to cut the number of heart attacks and strokes. Low dose simvastatin will go on sale at pharmacies this year.
Simvastatin however is contraindicated for HIV patients who are on treatment because of significant interactions with indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir. There are also potential interactions with amprenavir, nevirapine, efavirenz and delavirdine.
Clinicians and pharmacists should ensure that patients with elevated cholesterol using these antiretroviral are aware that simvastatin is not an option for them.
Extensive drug-drug interaction charts are available on the excellent Liverpool University drug interaction website:
http://www.hiv-druginteractions.org
040710
IB040506-17
©2004. I-BASE HIV Treatment Bulletin. Permission to reproduce courtesy of HIV i-Base, Third Floor East, Thrale House, 44-46 Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN - T: +44 (0) 20 7407 8488 F: +44 (0) 20 7407 8489
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
