Drug Interactions between lovastatin and niacin
This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:
- lovastatin
- niacin
Interactions between your drugs
lovastatin niacin
Applies to: lovastatin and niacin
The following interaction applies only if you are taking high dosages of niacin for the treatment of high cholesterol. It does not apply if you are taking niacin at dosages commonly used in nutritional supplements.
Using lovastatin together with niacin may increase the risk of 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. The risk is greatest if you are elderly or have preexisting kidney disease. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment with lovastatin or similar medications, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. 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.
Drug and food interactions
lovastatin food
Applies to: lovastatin
Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. 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 avoid the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with lovastatin. Drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts may also increase the blood levels of lovastatin in some patients. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It may be advisable to avoid excessive consumption of green tea and green tea products while on lovastatin. 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.
lovastatin food
Applies to: lovastatin
Lovastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol (alcohol) may increase that risk. You should limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. 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.
niacin food
Applies to: niacin
Ask your doctor before using niacin together with ethanol (alcohol). You should avoid drinking alcohol, it can increase some of the side effects of niacin. This can cause nausea, dizziness, itching, vomiting, upset stomach, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin). Furthermore, consumption of large amounts of alcohol is associated with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. 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.
niacin food
Applies to: niacin
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
Therapeutic duplication warnings
No warnings were found for your selected drugs.
Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.
See also
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.
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