Drug interactions
Pitavastatin + Saquinavir
Severity: Moderate
Pitavastatin and Saquinavir: 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
Saquinavir, usually boosted with ritonavir, may inhibit OATP1B1 and raise pitavastatin levels. This may raise the risk of myopathy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pitavastatin and Saquinavir 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.
Why it happens
Saquinavir may inhibit OATP1B1-mediated hepatic uptake of pitavastatin.
What to do
Monitor for muscle symptoms and check CK if they occur. Use the lowest effective pitavastatin dose.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pitavastatin with Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pitavastatin and Saquinavir 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. Saquinavir, usually boosted with ritonavir, may inhibit OATP1B1 and raise pitavastatin levels. This may raise the risk of myopathy.
How serious is the interaction between Pitavastatin and Saquinavir?
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 symptoms and check CK if they occur. Use the lowest effective pitavastatin dose.
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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