What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Colchicine and simvastatin
Colchicine's FDA label of July 22, 2025 names simvastatin in its drug interactions section, and simvastatin's label names colchicine too. The simvastatin label: “Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with ZOCOR.”
Check it at the source: the colchicine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2025, Aurobindo Pharma Limited); the simvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 28, 2025, Organon LLC).
What does the colchicine label say about simvastatin?
Colchicine label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Class or Food: HMG-Co A Reductase Inhibitors: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin; Noted or Anticipated Outcome: Pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction: the addition of one drug to a stable long-term regimen of the other has resulted in myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (including a fatality); Clinical Comment: Weigh the potential benefits and risks and carefully monitor patients for any signs or symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly during initial therapy; monitoring CPK (creatine phosphokinase) will not necessarily prevent the occurrence of severe myopathy.
Colchicine label, warnings and precautionsConcomitant use of atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid or benzafibrate (themselves associated with myotoxicity) or cyclosporine with colchicine may potentiate the development of myopathy [see Drug Interactions (7) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Colchicine), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective July 22, 2025 (SPL set dd93a40f-92ab-47ac-9083-b8a7a0b18ad6), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the simvastatin label say about colchicine?
Simvastatin label, drug interactionsColchicine Clinical Impact: Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported with concomitant use of colchicine with ZOCOR. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using colchicine concomitantly with ZOCOR outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of …
Simvastatin label, warnings and precautionsLipid modifying doses (≥1 gram/day) of niacin, fibrates, colchicine, and grapefruit juice may also increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ].
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
| Colchicine | Simvastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Gout | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.122 per tablet 0.6 mg tablet | $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