Drug interactions
Fenofibrate + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Fenofibrate 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
Adding fenofibrate to lovastatin may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis through additive muscle toxicity. The risk is generally lower than with gemfibrozil but rises in older patients, renal impairment and at higher statin doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fenofibrate 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.
Fenofibrate belongs to Cardiovascular; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive myotoxicity of fibrates and statins, with minimal pharmacokinetic interaction for fenofibrate.
What to do
Keep lovastatin at the lowest effective dose and warn the patient to report muscle pain or weakness. Check CK if symptoms occur and stop therapy if myopathy is suspected.
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 Fenofibrate
- Atorvastatin + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cholic acid + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colchicine + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Colestipol + Fenofibrate Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Fenofibrate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fenofibrate with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fenofibrate 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. Adding fenofibrate to lovastatin may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis through additive muscle toxicity. The risk is generally lower than with gemfibrozil but rises in older patients, renal impairment and at higher statin doses.
How serious is the interaction between Fenofibrate 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: Keep lovastatin at the lowest effective dose and warn the patient to report muscle pain or weakness. Check CK if symptoms occur and stop therapy if myopathy is suspected.
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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