Rooibos - Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) Interaction

Interaction Details

Atorvastatin Calcium is classified as belonging to the following category: Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Rooibos might increase the concentration and the effects of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates. In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems strongly inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), midazolam (Versed), and many others.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists

References

• Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
• Patel O, Muller CJF, Joubert E, et al. Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Green Rooibos Extract With Atorvastatin and Metformin in Rats. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:1243.

Interaction Details

Atorvastatin Calcium is classified as belonging to the following category: Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Rooibos might increase the concentration of atorvastatin. Animal research shows that oral administration of a specific green rooibos extract (Afriplex GRT) in combination with atorvastatin daily for 3 weeks increases the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of atorvastatin by almost 6-fold and reduces the clearance of atorvastatin. Theoretically, combining rooibos and atorvastatin could increase the effects and side effects of atorvastatin.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists

References

• Patel O, Muller CJF, Joubert E, et al. Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Green Rooibos Extract With Atorvastatin and Metformin in Rats. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:1243.

Atorvastatin Calcium Overview

• Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Atorvastatin is also used to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood. Atorvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

• Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with atorvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Rooibos - More Interactions

Rooibos interacts with 834 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.