Drug General Information (ID: DDIETGI6W2)
Drug Name			Lovastatin		Drug Info		Gemfibrozil		Drug Info
Drug Type		Small molecule				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Statins/Antihyperlipidemic Agents				Antihyperammonia Agents
Structure

Mechanism of Lovastatin-Gemfibrozil Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
Increased risk of other adverse reactions (Unspecific) Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Lovastatin				Gemfibrozil
Mechanism		Rhabdomyolysis				Rhabdomyolysis
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		Adverse reactions
		Factor Description		An adverse reaction is an unexpected negative reaction to a medication or treatment that happens even when it's used correctly.
Mechanism Description		Increased risk of adverse reactions by the combination of Lovastatin and Gemfibrozil

Recommended Action
Management		The use of lovastatin with gemfibrozil or other fibrates should generally be avoided. All patients receiving statin therapy should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever, malaise and/or dark-colored urine. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed.

References
1	Lozada A, Dujovne CA "Drug interactions with fibric acids." Pharmacol Ther 63 (1994): 163-76. [PMID: 7809177]
2	Schwandt P "Drug interactions and side effects of hypolipidemic drugs." Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm 17 (1979): 351-6.[PMID: 489202]
3	Pierce LR, Wysowski DK, Gross TP "Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis associated with lovastatin-gemfibrozil combination therapy." JAMA 264 (1990): 71-5.[PMID: 2355431]