Clofibrate and Atorvastatin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Jul 15, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Atorvastatin
Clofibrate
No brand names on record
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
An increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of atorvastatin and fibrates like clofibrate may increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Consider if the benefit of using fibrates concomitantly with atorvastatin outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy, particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dose titration of either drug. Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been reported with atorvastatin coadministered with lipid modifying doses (1 g/day or greater) of fibrates12.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive risk of myopathy
Literature reports
3 reports — tap to read
a) A 43-year-old female with pancreatitis, chylomicronemia, dehydration, uncontrolled diabetes, a thrombotic diathesis, and arterial thromboses associated with foot ischemia was admitted to the hospital with a serum creatine kinase concentration of 4633 U/L. Prior to admission, she had been taking gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily, cimetidine 400 mg twice daily, fluoxetine 20 mg once daily, medroxyprogesterone 10 mg twice daily, and furosemide on an as-needed basis. Three weeks before admission, atorvastatin 10 mg twice daily was added to her medication regimen. When no evidence of myocardial infarction or stroke was present, the atorvastatin and gemfibrozil were discontinued during the first day of her hospital stay. Her serum creatine kinase levels dropped steadily during the first two weeks, and continued to decrease when gemfibrozil was reinstituted on day 9. The rhabdomyolysis was attributed to an interaction between atorvastatin and gemfibrozil, and may have been potentiated by dehydration and pancreatitis 3.
b) Coadministration of single dose atorvastatin 40 mg with fenofibrate 160 mg once daily for 7 days led to a 1.03-fold increase in atorvastatin AUC and a 1.02-fold increase in Cmax 1.
c) Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been reported with atorvastatin coadministered with lipid modifying doses (1 g/day or greater) of fibrates 12.
Common questions
Can I take Clofibrate and Atorvastatin together?
An increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Clofibrate and Atorvastatin interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
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 Clofibrate 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 a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (3)
- Product Information: ATORVALIQ(R) oral suspension, atorvastatin calcium oral suspension. CMP Pharma Inc (per FDA), Farmville, NC, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: LIPITOR(R) oral tablets, atorvastatin calcium oral tablets. Viatris Specialty LLC (per FDA), Morgantown, WV, 2022. DailyMed
- Duell PB, Connor WE, & Illingworth DR: Rhabdomyolysis after taking atorvastatin with gemfibrozil. Am J Cardiol 1998; 81:368-369. PubMed
Keep reading about Atorvastatin
Keep reading about Clofibrate
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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