Drug interactions
Pitavastatin + Safinamide
Severity: Moderate
Pitavastatin and Safinamide: 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
Safinamide and its main metabolite can inhibit intestinal BCRP, a transporter that limits absorption of pitavastatin. This may modestly increase pitavastatin exposure and statin-related adverse effects such as muscle symptoms.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pitavastatin and Safinamide 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.
Pitavastatin belongs to Cardiovascular; Safinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal BCRP by safinamide reduces efflux of pitavastatin and increases its absorption.
What to do
Monitor for muscle pain, weakness or dark urine, and consider using the lowest effective pitavastatin dose. Check creatine kinase if symptoms develop.
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 Pitavastatin
- Cyclosporine + Pitavastatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Pitavastatin Contraindicated
- Erythromycin base + Pitavastatin Major
- Erythromycin ethylsuccinate + Pitavastatin Major
- Erythromycin lactobionate + Pitavastatin Major
- Erythromycin stearate + Pitavastatin Major
Other interactions of Safinamide
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amphetamine polistirex + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Cyclobenzaprine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pitavastatin with Safinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pitavastatin and Safinamide 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. Safinamide and its main metabolite can inhibit intestinal BCRP, a transporter that limits absorption of pitavastatin. This may modestly increase pitavastatin exposure and statin-related adverse effects such as muscle symptoms.
How serious is the interaction between Pitavastatin and Safinamide?
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 for muscle pain, weakness or dark urine, and consider using the lowest effective pitavastatin dose. Check creatine kinase if symptoms develop.
What other medicines interact with Pitavastatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pitavastatin with, for example, Cyclosporine, Cyclosporin, Erythromycin base. The full list is on the Pitavastatin page.
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