1. Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures
2. Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Cholesterol Quiz

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

View Full Profile

Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What are statins, and how do they work?
• For what conditions are statins used?
• Are there differences among statins?
• What are the side effects of statins?
• With which drugs do statins interact?
• What are some examples of statins?
• Statins Index

Lovastatin and simvastatin should not be combined with erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin , telithromycin, cyclosporine, boceprevir, telaprevir, voriconazole, danazol (Danocrine), or protease inhibitors. Amiodarone (Cordarone), amlodipine (Norvasc), and ranolazine (Ranexa) also interact with simvastatin and lovastatin.

Another important drug interaction occurs between statins and niacin and fibric acids (for example, gemfibrozil [Lopid], clofibrate [Atromid-S], and fenofibrate [Tricor]). Niacin and the fibric acid drugs can cause rhabdomyolysis or liver failure when used alone, and combining them with statins increases the likelihood of rhabdomyolysis or liver failure. Gemfibrozil should not be combined with statins. Other fibric acids and niacin are used, with caution, in combination with statins.

Cholestyramine (Questran) as well as colestipol (Colestid) bind statins in the intestine and reduce their absorption into the body. To prevent this binding within the intestine, statins should be taken one hour before or four hours after cholestyramine or colestipol.

Stains increase the effect of warfarin (Coumadin). Patients taking statins and warfarin should their blood clotting ability monitored carefully.

What are some examples of Statins?

Statins that are approved for use in the U.S. include:

• atorvastatin (Lipitor),
• fluvastatin (Lescol),
• lovastatin (Mevacor),
• pravastatin (Pravachol),
• rosuvastatin (Crestor),
• simvastatin (Zocor), and
• pitavastatin (Livalo).

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.