Does Diltiazem Interact With Lovastatin?
In a ten-subject randomized, open-label, 4-way crossover study, coadministration of diltiazem (120 mg BID diltiazem SR for 2 weeks) with a single 20 mg dose of lovastatin resulted in 3- to 4-fold increase in mean lovastatin AUC and C max versus lovastatin alone.
Severity: Minor
Severity basis: drug interactions section. Combining Diltiazem (Calcium channel blocker) and Lovastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)) is classified as a minor interaction.
What to Do
This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and Lovastatin is a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor (statin); together they are documented as a minor interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Diltiazem and Lovastatin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
In a ten-subject randomized, open-label, 4-way crossover study, coadministration of diltiazem (120 mg BID diltiazem SR for 2 weeks) with a single 20 mg dose of lovastatin resulted in 3- to 4-fold increase in mean lovastatin AUC and C max versus lovastatin alone.
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 0089fc7a-a7aa-4873-b699-39a1b21616ca).
Lovastatin
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
Brands: Mevacor, Altoprev
View Lovastatin safety profileCheck these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Diltiazem and Lovastatin together?
Diltiazem and Lovastatin have a documented minor interaction. This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How serious is the Diltiazem and Lovastatin interaction?
It is classified as a minor interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section. A minor interaction is usually limited in effect but is still worth discussing with your care team.
What should I do if I'm taking both Diltiazem and Lovastatin?
If you have been prescribed both Diltiazem and Lovastatin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
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.
Other Diltiazem Interactions
- Diltiazem + Clarithromycin(moderate)
- Diltiazem + Itraconazole(moderate)
- Diltiazem + Tacrolimus(moderate)
- Diltiazem + Amiodarone(minor)
- Diltiazem + Atenolol(minor)
- Diltiazem + Buspirone(minor)
- Diltiazem + Carbamazepine(minor)
- Diltiazem + Carvedilol(minor)
- Diltiazem + Clonidine(minor)
- Diltiazem + Colchicine(minor)
- Diltiazem + Cyclosporine(minor)
- Diltiazem + Digoxin(minor)
- Diltiazem + Metoprolol(minor)
- Diltiazem + Pravastatin(minor)
- Diltiazem + Propranolol(minor)
- Diltiazem + Rifampin(minor)
- Diltiazem + Simvastatin(minor)
- Diltiazem + Warfarin(minor)
Other Lovastatin Interactions
- Lovastatin + Clarithromycin(contraindicated)
- Lovastatin + Itraconazole(contraindicated)
- Lovastatin + Ketoconazole(contraindicated)
- Lovastatin + Cyclosporine(major)
- Lovastatin + Gemfibrozil(major)
- Lovastatin + Amiodarone(moderate)
- Lovastatin + Colchicine(moderate)
- Lovastatin + Spironolactone(moderate)
- Lovastatin + Ticagrelor(moderate)
- Lovastatin + Digoxin(minor)
- Lovastatin + Glipizide(minor)
- Lovastatin + Propranolol(minor)
- Lovastatin + Tadalafil(minor)
- Lovastatin + Testosterone(minor)
- Lovastatin + Verapamil(minor)
- Lovastatin + Warfarin(minor)