Drug interactions
Lovastatin + Zafirlukast
Severity: Moderate
Lovastatin and Zafirlukast: 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
Lovastatin is heavily dependent on CYP3A4, so inhibition could raise exposure and the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Zafirlukast is at most a weak inhibitor, so the effect is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lovastatin and Zafirlukast 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; Zafirlukast belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Possible CYP3A4 inhibition by zafirlukast increasing lovastatin exposure.
What to do
Counsel patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin.
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 Zafirlukast
- Pimozide + Zafirlukast Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Zafirlukast Major
- Nilotinib + Zafirlukast Major
- Warfarin + Zafirlukast Major
- Apalutamide + Zafirlukast Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Zafirlukast Moderate
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 Zafirlukast?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lovastatin and Zafirlukast 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 is heavily dependent on CYP3A4, so inhibition could raise exposure and the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. Zafirlukast is at most a weak inhibitor, so the effect is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Lovastatin and Zafirlukast?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness and check creatine kinase if symptoms occur. Consider a statin less dependent on CYP3A4, such as rosuvastatin or pravastatin.
What other medicines interact with Zafirlukast?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zafirlukast with, for example, Pimozide, Lomitapide, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Zafirlukast page.
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