Drug interactions
Erythromycin lactobionate + Lovastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Erythromycin lactobionate 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
Intravenous 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 lactobionate 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 lactobionate belongs to Anti Bacterial; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4, reducing lovastatin clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination. Withhold lovastatin during erythromycin therapy or choose a non-interacting antibiotic.
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
Other interactions of Erythromycin lactobionate
- Cisapride + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Erythromycin lactobionate + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin lactobionate with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Intravenous erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and increases lovastatin exposure, with reported cases of rhabdomyolysis. Labeling advises against concurrent use.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Withhold lovastatin during erythromycin therapy or choose a non-interacting antibiotic.
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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