Drug interactions
Atorvastatin + Diltiazem
Severity: Moderate
Atorvastatin and Diltiazem: 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
Diltiazem raises atorvastatin plasma concentrations, which increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The risk is dose related.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atorvastatin and Diltiazem 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; Diltiazem belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Diltiazem inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of atorvastatin in the gut wall and liver.
What to do
Use the lowest effective atorvastatin dose and counsel the patient to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness. Check creatine kinase if symptoms occur and stop the statin if myopathy is confirmed.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Atorvastatin and Diltiazem, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Diltiazem
- Diltiazem + Flibanserin Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Ivabradine Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Diltiazem Major
- Alfentanil + Diltiazem Major
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 Diltiazem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atorvastatin and Diltiazem 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. Diltiazem raises atorvastatin plasma concentrations, which increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The risk is dose related.
How serious is the interaction between Atorvastatin and Diltiazem?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective atorvastatin dose and counsel the patient to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness. Check creatine kinase if symptoms occur and stop the statin if myopathy is confirmed.
What other medicines interact with Diltiazem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diltiazem with, for example, Flibanserin, Ivabradine, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Diltiazem page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
