Drug interactions
Gemfibrozil + Montelukast
Severity: Moderate
Gemfibrozil and Montelukast: 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
Gemfibrozil is a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor and raises montelukast exposure several-fold in studies. Given montelukast's wide safety margin, serious toxicity is unlikely but adverse effects may be more frequent.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemfibrozil and Montelukast 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.
Gemfibrozil belongs to Cardiovascular; Montelukast belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Gemfibrozil and its glucuronide inhibit CYP2C8, the principal enzyme in montelukast clearance.
What to do
No routine dose change is required, but monitor for headache, gastrointestinal effects and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Consider an alternative lipid agent if adverse effects occur.
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 Gemfibrozil and Montelukast, 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 Montelukast
- Apalutamide + Montelukast Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Montelukast Moderate
- Deferasirox + Montelukast Moderate
- Enzalutamide + Montelukast Moderate
- Fosphenytoin + Montelukast Moderate
- Mitotane + Montelukast Moderate
Other interactions of Gemfibrozil
- Daprodustat + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Elagolix + Gemfibrozil Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Metformin-repaglinide Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Gemfibrozil + Repaglinide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gemfibrozil with Montelukast?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemfibrozil and Montelukast 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. Gemfibrozil is a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor and raises montelukast exposure several-fold in studies. Given montelukast's wide safety margin, serious toxicity is unlikely but adverse effects may be more frequent.
How serious is the interaction between Gemfibrozil and Montelukast?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is required, but monitor for headache, gastrointestinal effects and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Consider an alternative lipid agent if adverse effects occur.
What other medicines interact with Montelukast?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Montelukast with, for example, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine, Deferasirox. The full list is on the Montelukast 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.
