Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Nirmatrelvir
Severity: Contraindicated
Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir: 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
Nirmatrelvir is used with ritonavir, which strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and sharply raises lovastatin levels. This risks serious myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, and the pairing is contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir 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; Nirmatrelvir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Ritonavir-mediated strong CYP3A4 inhibition decreases lovastatin metabolism.
What to do
Hold lovastatin before starting the antiviral and for the treatment course plus several days afterward, per product labeling. Resume once the inhibitory effect has worn off.
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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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
Other interactions of Nirmatrelvir
- Alfuzosin + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lovastatin with Nirmatrelvir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir 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. Nirmatrelvir is used with ritonavir, which strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and sharply raises lovastatin levels. This risks serious myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, and the pairing is contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Nirmatrelvir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Hold lovastatin before starting the antiviral and for the treatment course plus several days afterward, per product labeling. Resume once the inhibitory effect has worn off.
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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