Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Lovastatin and Phenytoin: 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
Phenytoin induces CYP3A4 and can lower lovastatin concentrations, reducing cholesterol-lowering effect. This is a loss-of-efficacy interaction rather than a toxicity risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Phenytoin 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; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces CYP3A4, accelerating lovastatin metabolism and lowering its exposure.
What to do
Check the lipid profile after starting or stopping phenytoin and increase the statin dose or switch to a less affected statin if the response is inadequate.
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 Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lovastatin with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lovastatin and Phenytoin 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. Phenytoin induces CYP3A4 and can lower lovastatin concentrations, reducing cholesterol-lowering effect. This is a loss-of-efficacy interaction rather than a toxicity risk.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check the lipid profile after starting or stopping phenytoin and increase the statin dose or switch to a less affected statin if the response is inadequate.
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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