Drug interactions
Atorvastatin + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Atorvastatin and Verapamil: 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
Verapamil increases atorvastatin exposure, which raises the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, especially at higher statin doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atorvastatin and Verapamil 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; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Verapamil inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, decreasing atorvastatin clearance.
What to do
Use the lowest effective atorvastatin dose and counsel patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness. Consider checking creatine kinase if symptoms arise or switching to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4.
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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil 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 Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atorvastatin and Verapamil 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. Verapamil increases atorvastatin exposure, which raises the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, especially at higher statin doses.
How serious is the interaction between Atorvastatin and Verapamil?
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 patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness. Consider checking creatine kinase if symptoms arise or switching to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4.
What other medicines interact with Verapamil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Verapamil with, for example, Dofetilide, Flibanserin, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Verapamil page.
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