What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Nelfinavir and simvastatin
Nelfinavir's FDA label of December 11, 2025 names simvastatin in its contraindications section, and simvastatin's label names nelfinavir too. The simvastatin label: “Simvastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with ZOCOR increases simvastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, particularly with higher ZOCOR dosages.”
Check it at the source: the nelfinavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 11, 2025, AGOURON); the simvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 28, 2025, Organon LLC).
What does the nelfinavir label say about simvastatin?
Nelfinavir label, contraindicationsHMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Lovastatin, Simvastatin Potential for serious reactions such as myopathy including rhabdomyolysis.
Source: FDA drug label (VIRACEPT), AGOURON, effective December 11, 2025 (SPL set e72c2bc6-9462-4a2e-8e1d-b97592376cbd), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the simvastatin label say about nelfinavir?
Simvastatin label, drug interactionsStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors Clinical Impact: Simvastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with ZOCOR increases simvastatin exposure and increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, particularly with higher ZOCOR dosages. … select macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin and clarithromycin), select HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, and darunavir/ritonavir), select HCV protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir and telaprevir), cobicistat-containing products, and nefazodone.
Source: FDA drug label (ZOCOR), Organon LLC, effective March 28, 2025 (SPL set 8f55d5de-5a4f-4a39-8c84-c53976dd6af9), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Nelfinavir | Simvastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | HIV | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.0321 per tablet 20 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once