Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine 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
Cimetidine may modestly increase lovastatin concentrations through CYP3A4 inhibition, which raises the risk of myopathy. The effect is smaller than with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine 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.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits CYP3A4, reducing first-pass metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Monitor for muscle pain, weakness, or elevated CK and consider famotidine or a statin not 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 Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine 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. Cimetidine may modestly increase lovastatin concentrations through CYP3A4 inhibition, which raises the risk of myopathy. The effect is smaller than with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine 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 for muscle pain, weakness, or elevated CK and consider famotidine or a statin not dependent on CYP3A4.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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