Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Lovastatin: 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
Carbamazepine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can markedly lower concentrations of lovastatin and its active acid metabolite. Cholesterol control may be lost, which matters for patients with high cardiovascular risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Lovastatin 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.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, increasing the first-pass and systemic metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Monitor lipids after starting or stopping carbamazepine and increase the lovastatin dose as needed. A statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin, is a reasonable alternative.
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 Lovastatin
- Atazanavir + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Lovastatin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Lovastatin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Lovastatin 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. Carbamazepine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can markedly lower concentrations of lovastatin and its active acid metabolite. Cholesterol control may be lost, which matters for patients with high cardiovascular risk.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Lovastatin?
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 lipids after starting or stopping carbamazepine and increase the lovastatin dose as needed. A statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin, is a reasonable alternative.
What other medicines interact with Lovastatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lovastatin with, for example, Atazanavir, Clarithromycin, Cobicistat. The full list is on the Lovastatin page.
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