Lopinavir and Nimodipine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Nimodipine
Lopinavir
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
Increased serum nimodipine concentrations
Interaction Deep Dive
The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors such as lopinavir/ritonavir2, with nimodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate, is contraindicated as this may result in significantly increased plasma concentrations of nimodipine and significant hypotension 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated nimodipine metabolism by lopinavir/ritonavir
Common questions
Can I take Lopinavir and Nimodipine together?
Increased serum nimodipine concentrations Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Lopinavir and Nimodipine interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
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 "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Lopinavir or Nimodipine 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 (2)
- Product Information: nimodipine oral capsules, nimodipine oral capsules. Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. (per DailyMed), Detroit, MI, 2012. DailyMed
- Product Information: KALETRA oral tablets, oral solution, lopinavir and ritonavir oral tablets, oral solution. Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL, 2011. DailyMed
Keep reading about Nimodipine
Keep reading about Lopinavir
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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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