• Hypersensitivity to simvastatin or to any of the excipients • Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases • Pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.6) • Concomitant administration of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e. g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone) (see section 4.5).