lovastatin
3 interactions related to lovastatin
simvastatin + red yeast rice
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the prescription statin lovastatin. Adding it to simvastatin stacks two statins with similar mechanisms and metabolism, sharply increasing the risk of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver injury.
lovastatin + grapefruit
Grapefruit juice blocks intestinal CYP3A4, dramatically increasing lovastatin and lovastatin acid exposure. A controlled study showed lovastatin Cmax rose ~12-fold and AUC ~15-fold after high-dose grapefruit juice, sharply raising the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
atorvastatin + red yeast rice
Red yeast rice naturally contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to the prescription statin lovastatin. Combining it with atorvastatin effectively stacks two statins, sharply increasing the risk of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver injury.