Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Nelfinavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Lovastatin and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and increases lovastatin exposure, raising the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Nelfinavir 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.
Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 metabolism of lovastatin by nelfinavir.
What to do
Do not coadminister; switch to pravastatin or rosuvastatin while on nelfinavir. Educate the patient to report muscle toxicity.
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
Other interactions of Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lovastatin with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Lovastatin and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and increases lovastatin exposure, raising the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The combination is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not coadminister; switch to pravastatin or rosuvastatin while on nelfinavir. Educate the patient to report muscle toxicity.
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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