Lovastatin and Indinavir: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Indinavir
No brand names on recordLovastatin
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 lovastatin exposure and an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of indinavir and lovastatin is contraindicated321. Indinavir is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 3 and lovastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4 2. Concurrent administration of indinavir and lovastatin may result in increased plasma levels of lovastatin, thereby increasing the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis 32. If short-term treatment with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is required or if treatment with a CYP3A4 inhibitor is unavoidable, suspend lovastatin during the course of strong CYP3A4 inhibitor treatment 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of lovastatin
Common questions
Can I take Lovastatin and Indinavir together?
Increased lovastatin exposure and an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Lovastatin and Indinavir 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 Lovastatin or Indinavir 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: ALTOPREV(R) oral extended-release tablets, lovastatin oral extended-release tablets. Covis Pharma (per FDA), King of Prussia, PA, 2024. DailyMed
- Product Information: MEVACOR(R) oral tablets, lovastatin oral tablets. Merck & Co, Inc. (Per FDA), Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2012. DailyMed
- Product Information: CRIXIVAN(R) oral capsules, indinavir sulfate oral capsules. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (per FDA), Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2012. DailyMed
Keep reading about Indinavir
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.
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