Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Lovastatin and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin is a moderate CYP3A4 inducer and can reduce lovastatin exposure. This may lessen the cholesterol-lowering effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Rifabutin 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; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces CYP3A4, increasing the metabolism of lovastatin.
What to do
Monitor the lipid profile and increase the lovastatin dose if needed, or switch to a statin not dependent on CYP3A4 such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin.
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 Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lovastatin with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lovastatin and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin is a moderate CYP3A4 inducer and can reduce lovastatin exposure. This may lessen the cholesterol-lowering effect.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor the lipid profile and increase the lovastatin dose if needed, or switch to a statin not dependent on CYP3A4 such as pravastatin or rosuvastatin.
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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