Class 3 Medicines recall: Simvador 10mg, 20mg and 40mg tablets (Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited)

Drug alert number: EL (20) A/57

Date issued: 03 December 2020

The Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a Class 3 medicines recall for:

Simvador 10mg, 20mg and 40mg tablets (Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited)

Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited has informed us that the affected batches below (also distributed by Discovery Pharmaceuticals/Dexcel Pharma Limited) have been packaged with a version of Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) that does not include the most up to date safety information. There are no concerns with the quality, safety and efficacy of the product. However, these affected batches are being recalled due to concerns around the omission of the safety information. The information missing from the PILs are as below:

Section 2 What you need to know before you take Simvador:
Do not take Simvador if you:
If you are taking one or more than one of the following drugs at the same time:
– Cobicistat
– Lomitapide (used to treat a serious and rare genetic cholesterol condition)

Section 2 Warnings and Precautions:
Tell your doctor:
– If you are Asian, because a different dose may be applicable to you

Section 2 Other medicines and Simvador:
Do not take Simvastatin and tell your doctor if you are taking:
– Elbasvir or grazoprevir (medicines for Hepatitis C virus infection)
– medicines with the active ingredient cobicistat
– amiodarone (used to treat an irregular heartbeat)
– lomitapide (used to treat a serious and rare genetic cholesterol condition)
– daptomycin (a drug used to treat complicated skin and skin structure infections and bacteraemia). It is possible that side effects affecting the muscles may be higher when this medicine is taken during treatment with simvastatin. Your doctor may decide that you stop taking simvastatin for a while

Section 3 How to take Simvador
If you stop taking Simvador, talk to your doctor or pharmacist because your cholesterol may rise again. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, as your doctor or pharmacist

Section 4 Possible side effects
The following rare serious side effects were reported:
– Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions including:
– Swelling of the face, tongue and throat which may cause difficulty in breathing (angioedema)
– Severe muscle pain usually in the shoulders and hips
– Rash with weakness of limbs and neck muscles
– Pain or inflammation of the joints
– Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
– Unusual bruising, skin eruptions and swelling (dermatomyositis), hives, skin sensitivity to the sun, fever, flushing
– Shortness of breath (dyspnoea) and feeling unwell
– Lupus-like disease picture (including rash, joint disorders and effects on blood cells)

The following very rare serious side effect was reported:
– A serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing or dizziness (anaphylaxis)

The following side effects have also been reported rarely:
– Trouble sleeping (very rare)

The following side effects have also been reported but the frequency cannot be estimate from available information (frequency unknown)
– Inflammation of the lungs causing breathing problems including persistent cough and/or shortness of breath or fever

Simvador 10mg, 20mg and 40mg tablets (Lupin Healthcare (UK) Limited) 

Advice for healthcare professionals

• Stop supplying the batch listed above immediately.
• Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process.

As a general reminder, patients who experience side effects from taking any medicines should be encouraged to report a suspected problem or incident via the Yellow Card scheme and seek medical advice accordingly.

Full drug alert can be viewed here.

Company contacts for further information

For stock control enquiries please contact +44 (0) 1565 751 378 Option 2 or information@lupin.com

For more information or medical information enquiries please contact +44 (0) 1565 751 378 Option 1 or
Pharmacovigilance Department at EU-PV@lupin.com