Drug interactions
Grapefruit + Lovastatin
Severity: Moderate
Grapefruit 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
Grapefruit juice raises lovastatin levels, especially in large amounts, which increases the risk of myopathy. Lovastatin is very sensitive to intestinal CYP3A4 inhibition.
What this interaction means in plain words
Grapefruit 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.
Why it happens
Furanocoumarins inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, reducing first-pass metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice with lovastatin; occasional small quantities are less concerning. Counsel on muscle symptoms.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Grapefruit with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Grapefruit 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. Grapefruit juice raises lovastatin levels, especially in large amounts, which increases the risk of myopathy. Lovastatin is very sensitive to intestinal CYP3A4 inhibition.
How serious is the interaction between Grapefruit 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: Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice with lovastatin; occasional small quantities are less concerning. Counsel on muscle symptoms.
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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