Lovastatin and Lopinavir: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Lovastatin
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
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of lopinavir/ritonavir and lovastatin is contraindicated. Lopinavir/ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4. Lovastatin is a substrate of CYP3A4. Decreased lovastatin metabolism resulting from lopinavir/ritonavir CYP3A4 inhibition significantly increases the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis1. In patients receiving lopinavir/ritonavir, consider using fluvastatin, pitavastatin, or pravastatin as alternatives to lovastatin as they have the least potential for interaction 2.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated lovastatin metabolism by lopinavir/ritonavir
Common questions
Can I take Lovastatin and Lopinavir 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 Lopinavir interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
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 "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Lovastatin or Lopinavir 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: KALETRA(R) oral capsules, solution, lopinavir ritonavir oral capsules, solution. Abbott Laboratories (per manufacturer), North Chicago, IL, 2012. DailyMed
- Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents: Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents. AIDSinfo, Department of Health and Human Services. Rockville, MD. 2012.
Keep reading about Lovastatin
Keep reading about Lopinavir
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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