Lovastatin and Tucatinib: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Tucatinib
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
Increased lovastatin exposure and an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of lovastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate) with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is contraindicated as it may result in increased lovastatin exposure and an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (particularly with higher lovastatin dosages). If short-term treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is required or if treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is unavoidable, temporarily suspend lovastatin during the duration of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor treatment1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of lovastatin
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) 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 Tucatinib 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 Tucatinib 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 Tucatinib 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 (1)
- Product Information: ALTOPREV(R) oral extended-release tablets, lovastatin oral extended-release tablets. Covis Pharma (per FDA), King of Prussia, PA, 2024. DailyMed
Keep reading about Tucatinib
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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