Does Clarithromycin Interact With Lovastatin?

Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone and cobicistat-containing products) (see WARNINGS , Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis ).

Severity: Contraindicated

Severity basis: contraindications section (keywords: contraindications section). Combining Clarithromycin (Macrolide antibiotic) and Lovastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)) is classified as a contraindicated interaction.

What to Do

This combination is contraindicated on the FDA label. Do not take these together unless your prescriber explicitly directs it.

From the FDA Label

Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone and cobicistat-containing products) (see WARNINGS , Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis ).

Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 027bd594-6a0a-4e6d-bd3c-4f33fdb4166a).

Clarithromycin

Macrolide antibiotic

Brands: Biaxin

View Clarithromycin safety profile

Lovastatin

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)

Brands: Mevacor, Altoprev

View Lovastatin safety profile

Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker

This information is educational — not medical advice.

This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

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