Drug interactions
Cholestyramine + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Cholestyramine 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
Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind lovastatin in the gut and reduce its absorption. This may blunt the lipid-lowering effect of lovastatin when both are taken together.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cholestyramine 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.
Cholestyramine belongs to Cardiovascular; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Cholestyramine binds lovastatin in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing its absorption.
What to do
Give lovastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor the lipid profile.
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 Cholestyramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cholestyramine with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cholestyramine 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. Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind lovastatin in the gut and reduce its absorption. This may blunt the lipid-lowering effect of lovastatin when both are taken together.
How serious is the interaction between Cholestyramine 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: Give lovastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after cholestyramine. Monitor the lipid profile.
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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