Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Ritonavir in this regimen strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and markedly increases lovastatin exposure. This creates a high risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, so the combination is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir 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
Strong CYP3A4 inhibition by ritonavir reduces first-pass and systemic clearance of lovastatin.
What to do
Discontinue lovastatin before starting treatment, keep it off during the 5-day course and for several days afterward as labeled. Restart afterward and counsel on muscle symptoms.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
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 Lovastatin with Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir 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. Ritonavir in this regimen strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and markedly increases lovastatin exposure. This creates a high risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, so the combination is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Discontinue lovastatin before starting treatment, keep it off during the 5-day course and for several days afterward as labeled. Restart afterward and 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.
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.
