Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Quinidine
Severity: Major
Lovastatin and Quinidine: major 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
Quinidine inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise lovastatin concentrations, which are highly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism. This increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Quinidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Lovastatin belongs to Cardiovascular; Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Quinidine inhibits CYP3A4, reducing lovastatin first-pass and systemic clearance.
What to do
Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin, or limit the lovastatin dose. Counsel patients to report muscle pain and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
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 Quinidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Lovastatin and Quinidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Quinidine inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise lovastatin concentrations, which are highly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism. This increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Quinidine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use a statin less dependent on CYP3A4 such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin, or limit the lovastatin dose. Counsel patients to report muscle pain and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Quinidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Quinidine page.
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