Tipranavir and Lovastatin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Tipranavir
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
Concomitant use of lovastatin and tipranavir (coadministered with ritonavir 200 mg) is contraindicated. Tipranavir/ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A and lovastatin is a substrate of CYP3A. Decreased lovastatin metabolism resulting from tipranavir/ritonavir CYP3A inhibition may significantly increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Pravastatin or fluvastatin may be considered as alternatives for lovastatin when an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is required concurrently with tipranavir/ritonavir1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A-mediated lovastatin metabolism
Common questions
Can I take Tipranavir and Lovastatin together?
An increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Tipranavir and Lovastatin 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 Tipranavir or Lovastatin 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: APTIVUS(R) oral capsules, tipranavir oral capsules. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals,Inc, Ridgefield, CT, 2007. DailyMed
Keep reading about Tipranavir
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