Drug Interactions between simvastatin and suvorexant

Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of simvastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You should avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with simvastatin. Drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts may also increase the blood levels of simvastatin in some patients. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It may be advisable to avoid excessive consumption of green tea and green tea products while on simvastatin. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food can delay the absorption of suvorexant, which may increase the amount of time it takes for the medication to work. For faster sleep onset, do not take suvorexant with or soon after a meal. Suvorexant should also not be taken with grapefruit juice, as it may significantly increase the levels of medication in the blood. This can increase the risk of side effects including excessive drowsiness, motor impairment, amnesia, anxiety, hallucinations, and breathing difficulties (especially if you have a respiratory disorder such as asthma or obstructive sleep apnea). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with suvorexant. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you, and do not exceed the dosage or frequency of use prescribed by your doctor. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Simvastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol (alcohol) may increase that risk. You should limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.