Possible increased risk of rhabdomyolysis during concomitant use of simvastatin and gemfibrozil

The occurrence of rhabdomyolysis is one of the rare side-effects of the cholesterol-lowering agent simvastatin. During the use of lovastatin, an agent related to simvastatin, the risk of this side-effect might be increased when cyclosporin or gemfibrozil are used concomitantly. It is possible that this also applies for simvastatin. We present two patients who developed rhabdomyolysis during the concomitant use of simvastatin and gemfibrozil.