Drug interactions
Fosphenytoin + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Fosphenytoin 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
Fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin, a CYP3A4 inducer that can lower lovastatin concentrations and its cholesterol-lowering effect. This is a loss-of-efficacy interaction, not a safety contraindication.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fosphenytoin 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.
Fosphenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 by phenytoin increases lovastatin metabolism.
What to do
Monitor lipid profile and consider a higher lovastatin dose or a statin less affected by induction, 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?
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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 Fosphenytoin
- Dronedarone + Fosphenytoin Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fosphenytoin with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fosphenytoin 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. Fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin, a CYP3A4 inducer that can lower lovastatin concentrations and its cholesterol-lowering effect. This is a loss-of-efficacy interaction, not a safety contraindication.
How serious is the interaction between Fosphenytoin 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 profile and consider a higher lovastatin dose or a statin less affected by induction, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin.
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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