Bexarotene and Atorvastatin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Atorvastatin
Bexarotene
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Decreased atorvastatin plasma concentrations
Interaction Deep Dive
Drug interaction studies demonstrated that concomitant administration of atorvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, and bexarotene, a CYP3A4 inducer, decreased the AUC of atorvastatin by half1. Monitor patients for loss of atorvastatin’s lipid-lowering effect, making dosage adjustments or therapy modifications as necessary.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated atorvastatin metabolism by bexarotene
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In clinical studies, concomitant administration of atorvastatin and a daily dose of oral bexarotene 400 mg/m(2) decreased the exposure (AUC) of atorvastatin by half 1.
Common questions
Can I take Bexarotene and Atorvastatin together?
Decreased atorvastatin plasma concentrations Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Bexarotene and Atorvastatin interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Bexarotene or Atorvastatin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Product Information: Targretin(R) oral capsules, bexarotene oral capsules. Eisai Inc. (per FDA), Woodcliff Lake, NJ, 2011. DailyMed
Keep reading about Atorvastatin
Keep reading about Bexarotene
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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