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nirmatrelvir/ritonavir vs simvastatin

Side-by-side comparison of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and simvastatin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors lovastatin, simvastatin ↑ lovastatin ↑ simvastatin Co-administration contraindicated due to potential for myopathy including rhabdomyolysis [see Contraindications (4) ] . If treatment with PAXLOVID is considered medically necessary, discontinue use of lovastatin and simvastatin at least 12 hours prior to initiation of PAXLOVID, during the 5 days of PAXLOVID treatment, and for 5 days after completing PAXLOVID.

Recommendation: Stop taking simvastatin at least 12 hours before starting Paxlovid and do not start it again until 5 days after you finish the treatment.

Drug Class
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir Antiviral (Protease Inhibitor Combination)
simvastatin HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin)
Type
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir Prescription
simvastatin Prescription
Summary
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

Paxlovid is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults. It helps prevent severe illness, hospitalization, or death in people at high risk.

simvastatin

No summary available.

What It Treats
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

Paxlovid treats mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults. You must be at high risk of your illness becoming severe. This includes needing to go to the hospital or possibly dying from COVID-19. Paxlovid is not for preventing COVID-19 before or after exposure.

simvastatin

Information not available.

How It Works
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

Paxlovid contains two medicines, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir stops the virus from multiplying in your body. Ritonavir helps nirmatrelvir stay in your body longer so it can work better.

simvastatin

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir
  • Change in taste
  • Diarrhea
simvastatin
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir
  • COVID-19 22,774
  • COVID-19 coming back 20,089
  • Change in taste 7,316
  • Diarrhea 4,003
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,620
simvastatin
  • Tiredness 13,573
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 12,944
  • Shortness of breath 12,429
  • Diarrhea 11,813
  • Feeling lightheaded 10,971
Serious Warnings
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

Paxlovid can interact with many other medicines, causing serious or life-threatening problems. Before taking Paxlovid, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your other medicines or monitor you more closely.

simvastatin

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

There is not enough information about nirmatrelvir's safety during pregnancy. Studies on ritonavir in pregnant women have not shown an increased risk of birth defects. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Paxlovid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

simvastatin

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This nirmatrelvir/ritonavir vs simvastatin Comparison

nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is classified in the Antiviral (Protease Inhibitor Combination) drug class, while simvastatin sits within the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir has 56,802 submissions while simvastatin has 61,730. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to this medicine stops your body from breaking down simvastatin, which can lead to high levels that cause serious muscle damage.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and simvastatin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.