Drug interactions
Atorvastatin + Colchicine
Severity: Moderate
Atorvastatin and Colchicine: moderate 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
Both drugs can cause myopathy, and the combination has been linked to rhabdomyolysis, especially in renal impairment and older patients. Atorvastatin may also raise colchicine exposure through transporter effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atorvastatin and Colchicine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atorvastatin belongs to Cardiovascular; Colchicine belongs to Genitourinary.
Why it happens
Additive myotoxicity, with possible P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 related pharmacokinetic effects.
What to do
Monitor for muscle pain, weakness and dark urine, and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Use lower colchicine doses in renal impairment or consider temporarily holding the statin.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Colchicine
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Cyclosporine Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Atorvastatin
- Atorvastatin + Tipranavir Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Atorvastatin Major
- Atorvastatin + Clarithromycin Major
- Atorvastatin + Cobicistat Major
- Atorvastatin + Cyclosporin Major
- Atorvastatin + Danazol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atorvastatin with Colchicine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atorvastatin and Colchicine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can cause myopathy, and the combination has been linked to rhabdomyolysis, especially in renal impairment and older patients. Atorvastatin may also raise colchicine exposure through transporter effects.
How serious is the interaction between Atorvastatin and Colchicine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for muscle pain, weakness and dark urine, and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Use lower colchicine doses in renal impairment or consider temporarily holding the statin.
What other medicines interact with Colchicine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Colchicine with, for example, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat, Cyclosporine. The full list is on the Colchicine page.
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