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Grapefruit and simvastatin — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyDrug InteractionsGrapefruit and simvastatinGPhC CRA

A 57-year-old man taking simvastatin 40mg at night asks whether grapefruit juice each morning is suitable. He has no muscle symptoms. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase simvastatin exposure

Grapefruit juice can inhibit intestinal metabolism of simvastatin and increase systemic exposure. This can increase risk of statin adverse effects such as myopathy. The patient should be advised to avoid grapefruit juice and report unexplained muscle pain. It is not a treatment substitute.

Reference: BNF