⚠️

Pravastatin + Rifampin

MAJOR — Use With Caution

CAUTION — pravastatin may be the best statin choice during rifampin but still monitor

Evidence level: MODERATE

What this interaction means

Rifampin reduces pravastatin levels but less severely than other statins.

How it works (mechanism)

Rifampin induces OATP1B1 hepatic uptake transporter. Pravastatin levels may be reduced though less affected than CYP3A4-dependent statins.

Practical advice

Pravastatin is often the preferred statin during rifampin therapy. Monitor lipids closely.

Timing

Some antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) strongly inhibit CYP3A4 and can dramatically increase statin levels, raising rhabdomyolysis risk. Take Pravastatin in the evening as usual. Your prescriber may temporarily pause or reduce the statin during short antibiotic courses.

Risk factors

Cardiovascular disease

Symptoms to watch for

Reduced cholesterol control

What to tell your doctor

Pravastatin may be the best option but needs monitoring.

Safer alternatives

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Pravastatin and Rifampin together?

Rifampin reduces pravastatin levels but less severely than other statins.

When should I take Pravastatin vs Rifampin?

Some antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) strongly inhibit CYP3A4 and can dramatically increase statin levels, raising rhabdomyolysis risk. Take Pravastatin in the evening as usual. Your prescriber may temporarily pause or reduce the statin during short antibiotic courses.

What symptoms should I watch for if I combine Pravastatin and Rifampin?

Reduced cholesterol control

Are there safer alternatives to combining Pravastatin with Rifampin?

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.

What should I tell my doctor about taking Pravastatin and Rifampin?

Pravastatin may be the best option but needs monitoring.

Explore more interactions

Or browse the full interaction database (121,000+ pairs).