Altocor and Kaletra Oral Solution

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Talk to your doctor before using lovastatin together with ritonavir. Combining these medications may 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 may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications, or your doctor may prescribe alternative medications that do not interact. 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. 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.

CONTRAINDICATED: Protease inhibitors (PIs), particularly ritonavir, may significantly increase the plasma concentrations of certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The mechanism is PI inhibition of CYP450 3A4 metabolism. In 14 healthy volunteers, ritonavir (400 mg twice a day) and saquinavir (soft gelatin capsule 400 mg twice a day) given for 14 days increased the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of simvastatin acid (given as simvastatin 40 mg once a day for 4 days) by over 30-fold each. High levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity in plasma are associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity, including myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which may be accompanied by acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria and may result in death.

MANAGEMENT: Simvastatin or lovastatin are considered contraindicated in patients treated with tipranavir and/or ritonavir due to the potential for severe interaction. Red yeast rice (which contains lovastatin) should also be avoided in patients treated with PIs. Fluvastatin and pravastatin are probably safer alternatives, since they are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4. All patients treated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed.

Altocor

Generic Name: lovastatin

Brand name: Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Altocor?

Kaletra Oral Solution

Generic Name: lopinavir / ritonavir

Brand name: Kaletra

Synonyms: Kaletra

What is Kaletra Oral Solution?