Drug General Information (ID: DDIS9LDO08)
  Drug Name Lovastatin Drug Info Diltiazem Drug Info
  Drug Type Small molecule Small molecule
  Therapeutic Class Statins/Antihyperlipidemic Agents Antihypertensive Agents
  Structure

 Mechanism of Lovastatin-Diltiazem Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
     Transporter inhibition Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Lovastatin Diltiazem
      Mechanism 1 P-gp substrate P-gp inhibitor
      Key Mechanism Factor 1
Factor Name P-glycoprotein 1
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Structure Sequence
MDLEGDRNGGAKKKNFFKLNNKSEKDKKEKKPTVSVFSMFRYSNWLDKLYMVVGTLAAIIHGAGLPLMMLVFGEMTDIFANAGNLEDLMSNITNRSDINDTGFFMNLEEDMTRYAYYYSGIGAGVLVAAYIQVSFWCLAAGRQIHKIRKQFFHAIMRQEIGWFDVHDVGELNTRLTDDVSKINEGIGDKIGMFFQSMATFFTGFIVGFTRGWKLTLVILAISPVLGLSAAVWAKILSSFTDKELLAYAKAGAVAEEVLAAIRTVIAFGGQKKELERYNKNLEEAKRIGIKKAITANISIGAAFLLIYASYALAFWYGTTLVLSGEYSIGQVLTVFFSVLIGAFSVGQASPSIEAFANARGAAYEIFKIIDNKPSIDSYSKSGHKPDNIKGNLEFRNVHFSYPSRKEVKILKGLNLKVQSGQTVALVGNSGCGKSTTVQLMQRLYDPTEGMVSVDGQDIRTINVRFLREIIGVVSQEPVLFATTIAENIRYGRENVTMDEIEKAVKEANAYDFIMKLPHKFDTLVGERGAQLSGGQKQRIAIARALVRNPKILLLDEATSALDTESEAVVQVALDKARKGRTTIVIAHRLSTVRNADVIAGFDDGVIVEKGNHDELMKEKGIYFKLVTMQTAGNEVELENAADESKSEIDALEMSSNDSRSSLIRKRSTRRSVRGSQAQDRKLSTKEALDESIPPVSFWRIMKLNLTEWPYFVVGVFCAIINGGLQPAFAIIFSKIIGVFTRIDDPETKRQNSNLFSLLFLALGIISFITFFLQGFTFGKAGEILTKRLRYMVFRSMLRQDVSWFDDPKNTTGALTTRLANDAAQVKGAIGSRLAVITQNIANLGTGIIISFIYGWQLTLLLLAIVPIIAIAGVVEMKMLSGQALKDKKELEGSGKIATEAIENFRTVVSLTQEQKFEHMYAQSLQVPYRNSLRKAHIFGITFSFTQAMMYFSYAGCFRFGAYLVAHKLMSFEDVLLVFSAVVFGAMAVGQVSSFAPDYAKAKISAAHIIMIIEKTPLIDSYSTEGLMPNTLEGNVTFGEVVFNYPTRPDIPVLQGLSLEVKKGQTLALVGSSGCGKSTVVQLLERFYDPLAGKVLLDGKEIKRLNVQWLRAHLGIVSQEPILFDCSIAENIAYGDNSRVVSQEEIVRAAKEANIHAFIESLPNKYSTKVGDKGTQLSGGQKQRIAIARALVRQPHILLLDEATSALDTESEKVVQEALDKAREGRTCIVIAHRLSTIQNADLIVVFQNGRVKEHGTHQQLLAQKGIYFSMVSVQAGTKRQ
Gene Name ABCB1
Uniprot ID MDR1_HUMAN
KEGG Pathway hsa:5243
Protein Family ABC transporter superfamily
Protein Function
Translocates drugs and phospholipids across the membrane (PubMed:8898203, PubMed:2897240, PubMed:9038218). Catalyzes the flop of phospholipids from the cytoplasmic to the exoplasmic leaflet of the apical membrane. Participates mainly to the flop of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, beta-D-glucosylceramides and sphingomyelins (PubMed:8898203). Energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells (PubMed:2897240, PubMed:9038218).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Mechanism Description
  • Decreased clearance of Lovastatin due to the transporter inhibition by Diltiazem 
     CYP450 enzyme inhibition Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Lovastatin Diltiazem
      Mechanism 2 CYP450 3A4 substrate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor
      Key Mechanism Factor 2
Factor Name Cytochrome P450 3A4
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Structure Sequence
MALIPDLAMETWLLLAVSLVLLYLYGTHSHGLFKKLGIPGPTPLPFLGNILSYHKGFCMFDMECHKKYGKVWGFYDGQQPVLAITDPDMIKTVLVKECYSVFTNRRPFGPVGFMKSAISIAEDEEWKRLRSLLSPTFTSGKLKEMVPIIAQYGDVLVRNLRREAETGKPVTLKDVFGAYSMDVITSTSFGVNIDSLNNPQDPFVENTKKLLRFDFLDPFFLSITVFPFLIPILEVLNICVFPREVTNFLRKSVKRMKESRLEDTQKHRVDFLQLMIDSQNSKETESHKALSDLELVAQSIIFIFAGYETTSSVLSFIMYELATHPDVQQKLQEEIDAVLPNKAPPTYDTVLQMEYLDMVVNETLRLFPIAMRLERVCKKDVEINGMFIPKGVVVMIPSYALHRDPKYWTEPEKFLPERFSKKNKDNIDPYIYTPFGSGPRNCIGMRFALMNMKLALIRVLQNFSFKPCKETQIPLKLSLGGLLQPEKPVVLKVESRDGTVSGA
Gene Name CYP3A4
Uniprot ID CP3A4_HUMAN
KEGG Pathway hsa:1576
Protein Family Cytochrome P450 family
Protein Function
A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in the metabolism of sterols, steroid hormones, retinoids and fatty acids (PubMed:10681376, PubMed:11093772, PubMed:11555828, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:20702771, PubMed:19965576, PubMed:21490593, PubMed:21576599). Mechanistically, uses molecular oxygen inserting one oxygen atom into a substrate, and reducing the second into a water molecule, with two electrons provided by NADPH via cytochrome P450 reductase (NADPH--hemoprotein reductase). Catalyzes the hydroxylation of carbon-hydrogen bonds (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:21576599, PubMed:21490593). Exhibits high catalytic activity for the formation of hydroxyestrogens from estrone (E1) and 17beta-estradiol (E2), namely 2-hydroxy E1 and E2, as well as D-ring hydroxylated E1 and E2 at the C-16 position (PubMed:11555828, PubMed:14559847, PubMed:12865317). Plays a role in the metabolism of androgens, particularly in oxidative deactivation of testosterone (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715, PubMed:22773874). Metabolizes testosterone to less biologically active 2beta- and 6beta-hydroxytestosterones (PubMed:2732228, PubMed:15373842, PubMed:15764715). Contributes to the formation of hydroxycholesterols (oxysterols), particularly A-ring hydroxylated cholesterol at the C-4beta position, and side chain hydroxylated cholesterol at the C-25 position, likely contributing to cholesterol degradation and bile acid biosynthesis (PubMed:21576599). Catalyzes bisallylic hydroxylation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (PubMed:9435160). Catalyzes the epoxidation of double bonds of PUFA with a preference for the last double bond (PubMed:19965576). Metabolizes endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) to 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid ethanolamides (EpETrE-EAs), potentially modulating endocannabinoid system signaling (PubMed:20702771). Plays a role in the metabolism of retinoids. Displays high catalytic activity for oxidation of all-trans-retinol to all-trans-retinal, a rate-limiting step for the biosynthesis of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) (PubMed:10681376). Further metabolizes atRA toward 4-hydroxyretinoate and may play a role in hepatic atRA clearance (PubMed:11093772). Responsible for oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics. Acts as a 2-exo-monooxygenase for plant lipid 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (PubMed:11159812). Metabolizes the majority of the administered drugs. Catalyzes sulfoxidation of the anthelmintics albendazole and fenbendazole (PubMed:10759686). Hydroxylates antimalarial drug quinine (PubMed:8968357). Acts as a 1,4-cineole 2-exo-monooxygenase (PubMed:11695850). Also involved in vitamin D catabolism and calcium homeostasis. Catalyzes the inactivation of the active hormone calcitriol (1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) (PubMed:29461981).
    Click to Show/Hide
      Mechanism Description
  • Decreased metabolism of Lovastatin caused by Diltiazem mediated inhibition of CYP450 enzyme

Recommended Action
      Management Lovastatin dosage should not exceed 20 mg daily when used in combination with diltiazem. The benefits of this combination should be carefully weighed against the potentially increased risk of myopathy including rhabdomyolysis. Fluvastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin are probably safer alternatives in patients receiving diltiazem, since they are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4. 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 Agbin NE, Brater DC, Hall SD "Interaction of diltiazem with lovastatin and pravastatin." Clin Pharmacol Ther 61 (1997): 201. [PMID: 9797793]
2 Ayanian JZ, Fuchs CS, Stone RM "Lovastatin and rhabdomyolysis." Ann Intern Med 109 (1988): 682-3. [PMID: 3421582]
3 Azie NE, Brater DC, Becker PA, Jones DR, Hall SD "The interaction of diltiazem with lovastatin and pravastatin." Clin Pharmacol Ther 64 (1998): 369-77. [PMID: 9797793]
4 Dresser GK, Spence JD, Bailey DG "Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic consequences and clinical relevance of cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition." Clin Pharmacokinet 38 (2000): 41-57. [PMID: 10668858]
5 Garnett WR "Interactions with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors." Am J Health Syst Pharm 52 (1995): 1639-45. [PMID: 7583826]
6 Holtzman CW, Wiggins BS, Spinler SA "Role of P-glycoprotein in statin drug interactions." Pharmacotherapy 26 (2006): 1601-7. [PMID: 17064205]
7 Huynh T, Cordato D, Yang F, et al. "HMG coA reductase-inhibitor-related myopathy and the influence of drug interactions." Intern Med J 32(9-10) (2002): 486-90. [PMID: 12380704]
8 Masica AL, Azie NE, Brater DC, Hall SD, Jones DR "Intravenous diltiazem and CYP3A-mediated metabolism." Br J Clin Pharmacol 50 (2000): 273-6. [PMID: 10971313]
9 Paoletti R, Corsini A, Bellosta S "Pharmacological interactions of statins." Atheroscler Suppl 3 (2002): 35-40. [PMID: 12044584]
10 Product Information. Dilacor XR (diltiazem). Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bridgewater, NJ.
11 Product Information. Mevacor (lovastatin). Merck & Co, Inc, West Point, PA.
12 Williams D, Feely J "Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors." Clin Pharmacokinet 41 (2002): 343-70. [PMID: 12036392]
13 Worz CR, Bottorff M "The role of cytochrome P450-mediated drug-drug interactions in determining the safety of statins." Expert Opin Pharmacother 2 (2001): 1119-27. [PMID: 11583063]