Simvastatin and Amiodarone

[MedicJon88]

Hey ALS providers, I was at work in the ICU and came across an article which linked to the FDA's warning page regarding the use of Amiodarone and Simvastatin.
Supposedly the combination can cause rhabdomyolysis which can lead to kidney failure and death- especially when the patient's statin dose is above 20mg.
Our contraindication list for amiodarone does not include simvastatin... just high AV blocks and bradycardia.
Does anyone's protocol list simvastatin as contraindication? and if so does it direct providers to the second antiarrythmic- Lidocaine?

 

[MedicJon88]

The forum wouldn't let me post the link to the FDA page without 5 posts... heres the link http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety...ormationforPatientsandProviders/ucm124362.htm

 

[usafmedic45]

I believe it is only contraindicated for long term use not in an emergency. At least this is the way it was explained to me by one of the pulmonologists I worked with per what he was told by the director of the hospital pharmacy.