Can you take Atorvastatin with Sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol?
1 drug interaction and 22 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- atorvastatin
- sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
atorvastatin taurursodiol
Applies to: atorvastatin and sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
Taurursodiol may increase the blood levels and effects of atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
Food may affect the absorption of sodium phenylbutyrate. A high-fat, high-calorie meal (approximately 800 to 1000 calories; 500 to 600 calories from fat, 250 calories from carbohydrate, 150 calories from protein) has been shown to reduce the absorption of sodium phenylbutyrate, although it is unknown what impact this may have on the overall effectiveness of the medication. The manufacturer recommends taking sodium phenylbutyrate before a meal or snack. This is especially important if you weigh less than 70 kg (approximately 154 pounds). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
atorvastatin Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: atorvastatin
Grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels of atorvastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You should limit your consumption of grapefruit juice to no more than 1 quart per day during treatment with atorvastatin. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
20 potential interactions Applies to: 14 conditions, including Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetes Mellitus, and Gallbladder Disease.
Alcoholism
Major:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.
The use of most HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease, decompensated cirrhosis, or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are extensively metabolized by the liver. Decreased drug metabolism may lead to accumulation and increased risk of toxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function and, rarely, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty change in the liver, and fulminant hepatic necrosis. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. A lower initial dosage may be appropriate, and clinical monitoring of liver transaminase levels according to the individual manufacturer product information is recommended. Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, consideration should be given to a reduction in dosage or withdrawal of therapy.
Biliary Obstruction
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Biliary Obstruction.
Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.
Central Nervous System Disorders
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.
Cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion) have been observed in patients receiving statins. The reports are usually not serious, and reversible upon statin discontinuation. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with cognitive impairment.
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Central Nervous System Disorders.
Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Increases in hemoglobin A1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with the use of certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Caution should be exercised when using these agents in diabetic patients and close monitoring is recommended.
Fluid Retention
Major:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Fluid Retention.
The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.
Gallbladder Disease
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Gallbladder Disease.
Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.
Heart Failure
Major:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.
Liver Disease
Major:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
The use of most HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease, decompensated cirrhosis, or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are extensively metabolized by the liver. Decreased drug metabolism may lead to accumulation and increased risk of toxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function and, rarely, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty change in the liver, and fulminant hepatic necrosis. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. A lower initial dosage may be appropriate, and clinical monitoring of liver transaminase levels according to the individual manufacturer product information is recommended. Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, consideration should be given to a reduction in dosage or withdrawal of therapy.
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily metabolized in the liver and kidney. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.
Malabsorption Syndrome
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The taurursodiol in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Malabsorption Syndrome.
Sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol contains taurursodiol, a bile acid. In patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation, there may be an increased risk for diarrhea and patients should be monitored appropriately. Other conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal malabsorption, or intestinal diseases that may alter the concentration of bile acids, may also lead to decreased absorption of this drug and its components. Consider consulting with a GI specialists with experience managing these GI disorders. Patients with disorders of enterohepatic circulation (e.g., biliary infection, active cholecystitis, etc.), severe pancreatic disorders (e.g., pancreatitis), and intestinal disorders that may alter concentrations of bile acids (e.g., ileal resection, regional ileitis, etc.) were excluded from clinical studies and there is no experience in patients with these conditions. Caution is advised.
Myoneural Disorder
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Myoneural Disorder.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Myoneural Disorder.
Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.
Myopathy
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Myopathy.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.
Sodium phenylbutyrate is a pro-drug and is rapidly metabolized to the active, phenylacetate. Neurotoxicity, including exacerbation of a preexisting neuropathy, has been reported with the use of intravenous phenylacetate. The acute onset and reversibility when the phenylacetate infusion was discontinued suggested a drug effect. Care should be exercised when prescribing sodium phenylbutyrate to patients at risk for neurotoxicity.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
The use of sodium phenylbutyrate may cause fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, or sodium retention with edema. Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily excreted by the kidney and these patients may exhibit reduced excretion. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in these patients. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., fluvastatin) have not been studied in patients with severe renal dysfunction or end-stage renal disease. Some others (e.g., pitavastatin, simvastatin) require a dose reduction when used in this group of patients. Caution and close monitoring are advised when using these drugs in patients with renal dysfunction.
Moderate:
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
The sodium phenylbutyrate in sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Sodium phenylbutyrate is primarily metabolized in the liver and kidney. Therapy with sodium phenylbutyrate should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. Monitoring plasma levels of ammonia, arginine, branched-chain amino acids and serum proteins to maintain within normal limits and glutamine to less than 1000 mcmol/L is recommended.
Underactive Thyroid
Moderate:
atorvastatin
Atorvastatin has a moderate potential interaction with Underactive Thyroid.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred due to rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness accompanied by increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy, in those with predisposing factors for myopathy, or with a history of myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.
More resources
atorvastatin
A total of 437 drugs are known to interact with atorvastatin.
- Atorvastatin is in the drug class statins.
-
Atorvastatin is used to treat the following conditions:
- High Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol - Familial Heterozygous
- High Cholesterol - Familial Homozygous
- Hyperlipoproteinemia
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb, Elevated LDL VLDL
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III, Elevated beta-VLDL IDL
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV, Elevated VLDL
- Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol
A total of 590 drugs are known to interact with sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol.
- Sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol is in the drug class miscellaneous central nervous system agents.
- Sodium phenylbutyrate / taurursodiol is used to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.