MAJOR — Use With Caution
DANGEROUS — statin therapy becomes ineffective
Evidence level: STRONG
Rifampin makes lovastatin nearly useless.
Rifampin induces CYP3A4. Lovastatin is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4. Levels dramatically reduced.
Switch to pravastatin or rosuvastatin during rifampin therapy.
Some antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) strongly inhibit CYP3A4 and can dramatically increase statin levels, raising rhabdomyolysis risk. Take Lovastatin in the evening as usual. Your prescriber may temporarily pause or reduce the statin during short antibiotic courses.
Cardiovascular disease
Loss of cholesterol control
Request statin switch.
Statin interactions often involve liver enzyme competition. Ask your doctor about alternative statins (rosuvastatin and pravastatin have fewer CYP interactions) or spacing doses 12 hours apart. CoQ10 supplementation may help with statin-related muscle discomfort.
Rifampin makes lovastatin nearly useless.
Some antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) strongly inhibit CYP3A4 and can dramatically increase statin levels, raising rhabdomyolysis risk. Take Lovastatin in the evening as usual. Your prescriber may temporarily pause or reduce the statin during short antibiotic courses.
Loss of cholesterol control
Statin interactions often involve liver enzyme competition. Ask your doctor about alternative statins (rosuvastatin and pravastatin have fewer CYP interactions) or spacing doses 12 hours apart. CoQ10 supplementation may help with statin-related muscle discomfort.
Request statin switch.
Or browse the full interaction database (121,000+ pairs).