Atorvastatin with Darunavir Interaction Details


Brand Names Associated with Atorvastatin

  • Atorvastatin
  • Caduet® (as a combination product containing Amlodipine, Atorvastatin)
  • Lipitor®
  • Liptruzet® (as a combination product containing Atorvastatin, Ezetimibe)

Brand Names Associated with Darunavir

  • Darunavir
  • Prezista®

Medical Content Editor
Last updated Mar 04, 2024


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Interaction Effect

Increased atorvastatin plasma concentrations and an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis


Interaction Summary

Coadministration of atorvastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate) and darunavir (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) significantly increased atorvastatin plasma concentrations and may increase the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. If coadministered, start with the lowest recommended atorvastatin dose. Adjust the atorvastatin dose while monitoring for safety[1]. Use the lowest clinically effective atorvastatin dose and do not exceed a dosage of 20 mg daily. Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (eg, muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness) [1][2], particularly during the initial months of therapy and during upward dosage titration of either drug. Periodic creatinine kinase measurements may be considered if these symptoms are reported, but are not preventative of the event . If myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed or suspected, or if creatine kinase levels show a marked increase, temporarily withhold or discontinue atorvastatin [2].


Severity

Major


Onset

Unspecified


Evidence

Established


How To Manage Interaction

Coadministration of atorvastatin and darunavir significantly increased atorvastatin plasma concentrations and may increase the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. If coadministered, start with the lowest recommended atorvastatin dose. Adjust the atorvastatin dose while monitoring for safety[1]. Use the lowest clinically effective atorvastatin dose and do not exceed a dosage of 20 mg daily. Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (eg, muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness) [1][2], particularly during the initial months of therapy and during upward dosage titration of either drug. Periodic creatinine kinase measurements may be considered if these symptoms are reported, but are not preventative of the event . If myopathy or rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed or suspected, or if creatine kinase levels show a marked increase, temporarily withhold or discontinue atorvastatin [2].


Mechanism Of Interaction

Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated atorvastatin metabolism by darunavir


Literature Reports

A) Subjects receiving atorvastatin 10 mg daily for 4 days who were coadministered darunavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg twice daily for 9 days had a 3.4-fold increase in atorvastatin AUC and a 2.25-fold increase in Cmax [2].

B) In a pharmacokinetics study, coadministration of atorvastatin with darunavir/ritonavir significantly increased atorvastatin plasma trough concentrations. In 15 subjects, pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin 10 mg orally once daily concurrently with darunavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg orally twice daily were compared with atorvastatin 40 mg orally once daily (eg, with/without). While coadministration of atorvastatin with darunavir/ritonavir, at 75% reduction in atorvastatin dose, resulted in a 44% decrease in atorvastatin Cmax (least squares (LS) mean ratio with/without darunavir, 0.56; 90% CI, 0.48 to 0.67), and a 15% decrease in atorvastatin AUC (LS mean ratio, 0.85; 90% CI, 0.76 to 0.97) values; the atorvastatin Cmin increased 81% (LS mean ratio ,1.81; 90% CI, 1.37 to 2.40) [3].

References

    1 ) Product Information: PREZCOBIX(TM) oral tablets, darunavir cobicistat oral tablets. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (per manufacturer), Titusville, NJ, 2015.

    2 ) Product Information: LIPITOR(R) oral tablets, atorvastatin calcium oral tablets. Pfizer (Per FDA), New York, NY, 2012.

    3 ) Product Information: PREZISTA(R) oral suspension, oral film coated tablets, darunavir oral suspension, oral film coated tablets. Janssen Therapeutics (per manufacturer), Titusville, NJ, 2012.

Atorvastatin 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.

See More information Regarding Atorvastatin

Darunavir Overview

  • Darunavir is used with a pharmacokinetic booster (a medication that increases the amount of other medications in the body) such as ritonavir (Norvir) or cobicistat (Tybost), and other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children 3 years of age and older. Darunavir is in a class of medications called protease inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although darunavir does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other life-style changes may decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to other people.

See More information Regarding Darunavir

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Definitions

Severity Categories

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.


Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.


Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.


Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.


Onset

Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.

Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.


Evidence

Level of documentation of the interaction.

Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.


How To Manage The Interaction

Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.

It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.


Mechanism Of Interaction

The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.


Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Where Does Our Information Come From?

Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:

The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used. 

Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.