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FDA DISCOURAGES LOVASTATIN-GEMFIBROZIL COMBINATION.

Lovastatin and gemfibrozil are among the most commonly used drugs for cholesterol reduction. In this report, the Food and Drug Administration describes 12 cases of severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis associated with their combined use. Both drugs have been associated with occasional adverse muscle reactions, but the 12 cases with combined therapy were more severe than those reported with either drug alone. The median creatine kinase (CK) level was 15,250 U/L, which is about 20 times higher than the median CK level from adverse reactions to gemfibrozil alone and 30 times higher than the level reported for lovastatin. The myopathic syndromes were severe enough to cause respiratory and renal failure in some cases, and one patient died of cardiogenic shock one month after an apparent recovery. The FDA concludes this report with the recommendation that this combination of drugs be avoided.

— THL

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine July 10, 1990

Citation(s):

Pierce LR et al. Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis associated with lovastatin-gemfibrozil combination therapy. JAMA 1990 Jul 4 264 71-75.

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