What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Clarithromycin and lovastatin
Clarithromycin's FDA label of April 9, 2026 names lovastatin in its contraindications section, and lovastatin's label names clarithromycin too. The lovastatin label: “Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.”
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026, Solaris Pharma Corporation); the lovastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 2026, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
What does the clarithromycin label say about lovastatin?
Clarithromycin label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to clarithromycin or any macrolide drug (4.1) Cisapride and pimozide (4.2) History of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction with use of clarithromycin (4.3) Colchicine in renal or hepatic impairment (4.4) Lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin (4.5) Ergot alkaloids (ergotamine or dihydroergotamine) (4.6) Lurasidone
Clarithromycin label, drug interactionsLomitapide Lovastatin Simvastatin; Contraindicated; Lomitapide, Lovastatin, Simvastatin: Clarithromycin may increase the exposure of these drugs by inhibition of CYP3A metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of toxicities from these drugs [See Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions ] Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, Fluvastatin: [See Warnings and Precautions ]
Clarithromycin label, warnings and precautionsThese include colchicine toxicity with colchicine; markedly increased transaminases with lomitapide; rhabdomyolysis with simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin; hypoglycemia and cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes ) with disopyramide; and hypotension and acute kidney injury with calcium channel blockers metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine).
Source: FDA drug label (Clarithromycin), Solaris Pharma Corporation, effective April 9, 2026 (SPL set 4d42821d-ce7a-7d64-e063-6294a90a0875), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the lovastatin label say about clarithromycin?
Lovastatin label, contraindicationsConcomitant 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 ).
Lovastatin label, warningsThese include itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, the macrolide antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin, the ketolide antibiotic telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, the antidepressant nefazodone, or cobicistat-containing products.
Source: FDA drug label (Lovastatin), Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective May 6, 2026 (SPL set df7ddf4f-d569-431e-81f1-9129d7043150), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Clarithromycin | Lovastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | High cholesterol, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.466 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $0.0436 per tablet 20 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once