Niacin, Lovastatin & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Advicor. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Niacin, Lovastatin has been associated with depletion of PHOSPHATE SALTS and COENZYME Q10. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Niacin, Lovastatin long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Niacin, Lovastatin pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Niacin, Lovastatin
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
PHOSPHATE SALTS
Insignificant DepletionNIACIN
There is some evidence that niacin reduces plasma phosphate levels by interfering with active transport in the intestine. In people with metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia, taking slow-release prescription niacin (Niaspan, Abbott Labs) 2 grams orally daily for 8 weeks reduced plasma phosphate levels by approximately 15%. However, most people taking prescription niacin are unlikely to need phosphate supplements unless their dietary intake is low.
Phosphate is a mineral your body uses for bone strength, energy production, and cell function. There is some research showing that niacin may modestly reduce phosphate levels in the blood, possibly by interfering with how the intestine absorbs it. That said, this combination carries an insignificant depletion rating, meaning most people taking niacin do not need to worry about this or take a phosphate supplement. If you eat a varied diet and your levels have never run low, this likely is not something that needs action, but your pharmacist or doctor can give you personal guidance.
Learn more about this nutrient: Phosphate Salts — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Hu, S, Shearer, GC, Steffes, MW, Harris, WS, and Bostom, AG. Once-daily extended-release niacin lowers serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome dyslipidemia. Am J Kidney Dis 2011;57(1):181-2. PubMed
COENZYME Q10
Insufficient EvidenceHMG-CoA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS ("Statins")
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors can reduce serum coenzyme Q10 levels. They block the synthesis of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor of coenzyme Q10, in a dose-dependent manner. Taking atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 30 days reduces coenzyme Q10 serum levels by 52%, but atorvastatin 10 mg daily or pravastatin 20 mg daily do not have this effect in healthy people. In other research, taking simvastatin 20 mg daily for 4 weeks reduces serum coenzyme Q10 levels by about 32%, but muscle levels increase by 47%. Since coenzyme Q10 is transported with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reduction in LDL cholesterol levels by a statin may increase the amount of free coenzyme Q10 in the blood that is available for uptake into muscles. There is no reliable evidence that statin adverse effects such as myopathy are linked to reduced coenzyme Q10 levels in the blood, or that taking coenzyme Q10 supplements reduces statin side effects.
Lovastatin works by blocking a step in the body's cholesterol-making pathway, and coenzyme Q10, a compound your cells use to produce energy, is made through that same pathway. Because of this overlap, statins like lovastatin can reduce the amount of coenzyme Q10 your body produces on its own. That said, the evidence here is genuinely unclear: blood levels may dip, but whether that affects how you feel or causes any harm is not well established. If you are curious about this or take lovastatin long-term, it is worth bringing up with your pharmacist or doctor.
What Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) does & food sources
CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and acts as an antioxidant; heart and muscle tissue use it heavily.
Common food sources:
- Organ meats and fatty fish
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
There is no routine blood test for CoQ10 in everyday practice. If you have new, unexplained muscle symptoms on a medication linked to CoQ10 (statins are the best-known example), talk to your prescriber before changing anything — symptoms have many possible causes and your prescriber has several options.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
CoQ10 is generally well tolerated, but evidence for supplementing (for example, for statin muscle symptoms) is mixed. It may also modestly affect warfarin — check with your pharmacist before combining.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Do not stop a prescribed medication because of this association — discuss any symptoms with your prescriber first.
Learn more about this nutrient: Coenzyme Q10 — uses, safety & interactions
References (12)
- Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1990;87:8931-4. PubMed
- Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, et al. Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1997;18:S137-44. PubMed
- Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al. Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: A double blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Pharmacol 1993;33:226-9. PubMed
- De Pinieux G, Chariot P, Ammi-Said M, et al. Lipid-lowering drugs and mitochondrial function: Effects of HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors on serum ubiquinone and blood lactate/pyruvate ratio. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1996;42:333-7. PubMed
- Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, et al. Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1994;15:187-93. PubMed
- Watts GF, Castelluccio C, Rice-Evans C, et al. Plasma coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) concentrations in patients treated with simvastatin. J Clin Pathol 1993;46:1055-7.
- Hanaki Y, Sugiyama S, Ozawa T, et al. Coenzyme Q10 and coronary artery disease. Clin Investig 1993;71:112-5. PubMed
- Berthold HK, Naini A, Di Mauro S, et al. Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. Drug Saf 2006;29:703-12. PubMed
- Fuke C, Krikorian SA, Couris RR. Coenzyme Q10: A review of essential functions and clinical trials. US Pharm 2000;25:28-41.
- Bleske BE, Willis RA, Anthony M, et al. The effect of pravastatin and atorvastatin on coenzyme Q10. Am Heart J 2001;142:E2. PubMed
- Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, et al. Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arch Neurol 2004;61:889-92.. PubMed
- Laaksonen R, Jokelainen K, Sahi T, et al. Decreases in serum ubiquinone concentrations do not result in reduced levels in muscle tissue during short-term simvastatin treatment in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;57:62-6. PubMed
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Niacin, Lovastatin
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Niacin, Lovastatin & nutrients: FAQs
Does Niacin, Lovastatin deplete PHOSPHATE SALTS?
Should I take a supplement because I take Niacin, Lovastatin?
Should I stop taking Niacin, Lovastatin?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Niacin, Lovastatin and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Niacin, Lovastatin are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.