Drug interactions
Indinavir + Lovastatin
Severity: Contraindicated
Indinavir 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
Indinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and substantially increases lovastatin concentrations. This raises the risk of serious myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, and the combination is contraindicated in labeling.
What this interaction means in plain words
Indinavir 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.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 metabolism of lovastatin by indinavir, with possible additional transporter effects.
What to do
Avoid the combination and stop lovastatin while indinavir is used. Choose an alternative lipid-lowering agent such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin if needed.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Indinavir with Lovastatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Indinavir 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. Indinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and substantially increases lovastatin concentrations. This raises the risk of serious myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, and the combination is contraindicated in labeling.
How serious is the interaction between Indinavir 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 and stop lovastatin while indinavir is used. Choose an alternative lipid-lowering agent such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin if needed.
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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