Drug interactions
Atorvastatin + Rifampin
Severity: Moderate
Atorvastatin and Rifampin: 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
Rifampin induces atorvastatin metabolism over time, lowering lipid-lowering efficacy, yet single doses inhibit OATP1B1 and increase exposure. Timing relative to dosing therefore affects the result.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atorvastatin and Rifampin 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.
Why it happens
Chronic CYP3A4 induction lowers atorvastatin levels, while acute OATP1B1 inhibition raises them.
What to do
Give atorvastatin and rifampin at the same time and monitor lipid response, adjusting the statin dose as needed. Watch for muscle symptoms at initiation.
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 Rifampin, 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 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 Rifampin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atorvastatin and Rifampin 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. Rifampin induces atorvastatin metabolism over time, lowering lipid-lowering efficacy, yet single doses inhibit OATP1B1 and increase exposure. Timing relative to dosing therefore affects the result.
How serious is the interaction between Atorvastatin and Rifampin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give atorvastatin and rifampin at the same time and monitor lipid response, adjusting the statin dose as needed. Watch for muscle symptoms at initiation.
What other medicines interact with Atorvastatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atorvastatin with, for example, Tipranavir, Atazanavir, Clarithromycin. The full list is on the Atorvastatin 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.
