Lovastatin and Telaprevir: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Telaprevir
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 lovastatin-related adverse effects, such as, risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Although telaprevir, an inhibitor of CYP3A isoenzyme, and lovastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, have not been studied together, concomitant use of telaprevir and another CYP3A4 substrate and statin, atorvastatin, resulted in significant increases in atorvastatin Cmax and AUC. Therefore, concomitant use of telaprevir and lovastatin is contraindicated due to the risk of increased lovastatin exposure and risk of serious side effects such as myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis2. If treatment with telaprevir is unavoidable, suspend lovastatin during the course of telaprevir treatment 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of lovastatin
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) In drug interaction studies, the concomitant administration of atorvastatin and telaprevir in healthy subjects or in patients with chronic hepatitis C resulted in significant increases in mean atorvastatin AUC and Cmax. Patients received a single dose of atorvastatin 20 mg and telaprevir 750 mg every 8 hours for 7 days. Comparing atorvastatin plus telaprevir versus atorvastatin administration alone, the ratio estimate for atorvastatin was 7.88 (90% confidence interval (CI), 6.84 to 9.07) for AUC, and 10.6 (90% CI, 8.74 to 12.85) for Cmax. The mean changes for Cmin was not available 2.
b) In a drug interaction study, coadministration of itraconazole (strong CYP3A4 inhibitor) and lovastatin increased lovastatin AUC and Cmax by 14.8-fold and 14.5-fold, respectively 1.
Common questions
Can I take Lovastatin and Telaprevir together?
Increased lovastatin exposure and an increased risk of lovastatin-related adverse effects, such as, risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Lovastatin and Telaprevir 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Lovastatin or Telaprevir 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: ALTOPREV(R) oral extended-release tablets, lovastatin oral extended-release tablets. Covis Pharma (per FDA), King of Prussia, PA, 2024. DailyMed
- Product Information: INCIVEK(TM) oral film coated tablets, telaprevir oral film coated tablets. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (per FDA), Cambridge, MA, 2013.
Keep reading about Telaprevir
Keep reading about Lovastatin
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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:
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