Drug interactions
Atazanavir + Lovastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Atazanavir and Lovastatin: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Atazanavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and markedly raises lovastatin exposure, with a high risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Concurrent use is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atazanavir and Lovastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Atazanavir belongs to Anti Virals; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Atazanavir inhibits CYP3A4, blocking the first-pass and systemic metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Do not combine. Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin, at a suitable dose.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Lovastatin
- Clarithromycin + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Erythromycin base + Lovastatin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Atazanavir
- Alfuzosin + Atazanavir Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Avanafil Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Eplerenone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atazanavir with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Atazanavir and Lovastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Atazanavir is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and markedly raises lovastatin exposure, with a high risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Concurrent use is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Atazanavir and Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine. Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin, at a suitable dose.
What other medicines interact with Lovastatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lovastatin with, for example, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat, Conivaptan. The full list is on the Lovastatin page.
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