Lovastatin and Fenofibrate: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Fenofibrate
Lovastatin
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 or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid concomitant use of fenofibrate and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including lovastatin, as it may increase the risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis2, unless the potential benefit from further lipid level adjustments outweighs the increased risk 345. If concurrent therapy is deemed necessary, the lovastatin dose should not exceed 20 mg/day 1. Also, monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of myopathy, or rhabdomyolysis (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness), particularly during initiation of therapy and during upward dosage titration of statin therapy 2.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive risk of myopathy
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Data from observational studies indicate that the risk for rhabdomyolysis is increased when fibrates are coadministered with a statin. Coadministration of atorvastatin, 20 mg once daily for 10 days, with fenofibrate, 160 mg once daily for 10 days, reduced the AUC and Cmax of fenofibrate by 2% and 4% respectively. Whereas, coadministration of pravastatin, 40 mg as a single dose, with fenofibrate, three times 67 mg(2) as a single dose, reduced the AUC and Cmax of fenofibrate by 1% and 2% respectively. And, coadministration of fluvastatin, 40 mg as a single dose, with fenofibrate, 160 mg once single dose, reduced the AUC and Cmax of fenofibrate by 2% and 10% respectively 2.
b) Data from observational studies suggest that the risk for rhabdomyolysis is increased when fibrates, in particular gemfibrozil, are coadministered with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) 5.
Common questions
Can I take Lovastatin and Fenofibrate together?
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Lovastatin and Fenofibrate interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close 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.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Lovastatin or Fenofibrate 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 (5)
- Product Information: MEVACOR(R) oral tablets, lovastatin oral tablets. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (per FDA), Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2014. DailyMed
- Product Information: TRIGLIDE(R) oral tablets, fenofibrate oral tablets. Casper Pharma LLC (per FDA), East Brunswick, NJ, 2024. DailyMed
- Product Information: ANTARA(R) oral capsules, fenofibrate micronized oral capsules. Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc (per FDA), Naples, FL, 2024. DailyMed
- Product Information: TRICOR oral tablets, fenofibrate oral tablets. AbbVie Inc (per FDA), North Chicago, IL, 2021. DailyMed
- Product Information: FIBRICOR(R) oral tablets, fenofibric acid oral tablets. Athena Bioscience LLC (per FDA), Athens, GA, 2021. DailyMed
Keep reading about Fenofibrate
Keep reading about Lovastatin
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.
Check another combination
Our instant two-drug interaction checker is almost here.
Still have questions about this combination?
Every question gets a real answer from a licensed pharmacist — free, and usually within a day.
Ask the pharmacist