Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Niacin
Severity: Moderate
Lovastatin and Niacin: 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
Lipid-lowering doses of niacin with lovastatin have been associated with myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The risk is higher with high niacin doses, renal impairment and older age, and labeling limits the lovastatin dose in this combination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Niacin 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.
Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular; Niacin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive myotoxicity; the exact mechanism of the combined effect is not fully defined.
What to do
Keep the lovastatin dose within the labeled limit for combination with niacin and monitor for muscle pain, weakness or dark urine. Check CK and stop therapy if myopathy is suspected.
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 Niacin
- Alogliptin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
- Atorvastatin + Niacin Moderate
- Canagliflozin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Niacin Moderate
- Colestipol + Niacin Moderate
- Dapagliflozin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lovastatin with Niacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lovastatin and Niacin 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. Lipid-lowering doses of niacin with lovastatin have been associated with myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The risk is higher with high niacin doses, renal impairment and older age, and labeling limits the lovastatin dose in this combination.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Niacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep the lovastatin dose within the labeled limit for combination with niacin and monitor for muscle pain, weakness or dark urine. Check CK and stop therapy if myopathy is suspected.
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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