Drug interactions
Erythromycin base + Lovastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Erythromycin base and Lovastatin: contraindicated 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
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and increases lovastatin exposure, with reported cases of rhabdomyolysis. Labeling advises against concurrent use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin base and Lovastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4, reducing lovastatin clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination. If a macrolide is needed, withhold lovastatin during the course or use azithromycin instead.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin base with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Erythromycin base and Lovastatin are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and increases lovastatin exposure, with reported cases of rhabdomyolysis. Labeling advises against concurrent use.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin base and Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination. If a macrolide is needed, withhold lovastatin during the course or use azithromycin instead.
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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