Drug interactions
Efavirenz + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Efavirenz 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
Lovastatin is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4, and efavirenz can lower its plasma concentrations and reduce lipid-lowering effect. The risk is reduced efficacy rather than toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Efavirenz 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.
Efavirenz belongs to Anti Virals; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction by efavirenz increases the metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Monitor lipid levels and increase the lovastatin dose if needed, or switch to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin.
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 Efavirenz and Lovastatin, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Efavirenz
- Cobimetinib + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dienogest / estradiol valerate + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
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 Efavirenz with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Efavirenz 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. Lovastatin is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4, and efavirenz can lower its plasma concentrations and reduce lipid-lowering effect. The risk is reduced efficacy rather than toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Efavirenz 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 lipid levels and increase the lovastatin dose if needed, or switch to a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin.
What other medicines interact with Efavirenz?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Efavirenz with, for example, Cobimetinib, Dienogest / estradiol valerate, Dihydroergotamine intranasal. The full list is on the Efavirenz 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.
