Does Kratom Interact With Lovastatin?
Yes, kratom and lovastatin have a moderate to high risk of negatively interacting.
The main cause of this interaction occurs in the liver, where both lovastatin and kratom’s active ingredients are metabolized.
The liver metabolizes drugs with the help of the many enzymes in the CYP450 group. Each enzyme is designed to process a specific type of chemical. When two or more substances require attention from the same enzyme type, it can cause their metabolism to slow down. If this goes on for too long, drug levels can start to build up in the body, potentially leading to side effects.
Lovastatin and kratom alkaloids are both metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzymes [1, 2]. This means that, when taken together, these compounds will compete for their metabolism in the liver and could result in an increased rate of side effects.
Is it Safe to Take Kratom With Lovastatin?
No, lovastatin and kratom should not be taken together. Although the incidence of side effects from this combination is low, the list of side effects, should they occur, can be severe.
According to the FDA, excessive levels of statin activity in blood plasma are correlated with an elevated risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
The risk stemming from the interaction between lovastatin and kratom increases if more kratom is consumed. Any other CYP3A4 inhibitors should also be avoided when taking a statin prescription.
What is Lovastatin?
Lovastatin — sold commercially as Altoprev — is a type of prescription statin medication.
Statins — also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors — are used to lower cholesterol levels and thus work to lessen the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, as well as treat certain conditions.
Statins work on the body through their lipid-lowering properties: the compounds inhibit the production of cholesterol through their effects on the HGM-CoA reductase enzyme. They also help the body reabsorb existing cholesterol in the bloodstream [4].
Lovastatin Specs:
| Drug Name | Lovastatin |
| Trade Names | Altoprev, Mevacor |
| Classification | Statin |
| CYP Metabolism | CYP3A4, CYP2C8 |
| Interaction With Kratom | Metabolic competition |
| Risk of Interaction | Moderate to High |
What Is Lovastatin Used for?
The FDA has approved lovastatin for the following indications [5]:
- Reduction in the risk of heart attacks, revascularization procedures, and angina (chest pains caused by reduced blood flow to the heart).
- Slows the advance of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease, usually as a part of a treatment strategy meant to lower cholesterol levels.
- Reduces total cholesterol levels and other compounds in adults with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.
Statin medications like lovastatin are usually prescribed along with a strong recommendation for lifestyle alterations like exercise and dietary improvements.
What’s the Dose of Lovastatin?
Lovastatin is available in 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg tablets. It’s also available in immediate-release and extended-release forms.
As a prescription medication, you should only consume lovastatin according to your doctor’s instructions. The appropriate dosage of lovastatin depends on various factors that only a licensed physician may correctly evaluate.
Do not try to ascertain the proper dosage of lovastatin through information on the internet.
Several contraindications are associated with lovastatin, like concomitant administration of erythromycin, consumption of grapefruit juice, renal impairment, and more. Make sure to be aware of these dangers.
Generic & Brand Name Versions
Lovastatin is also available under the following brand names:
- Altoprev (extended-release)
- Lovacard
- Mevacor (immediate-release)
What Are the Side Effects of Lovastatin?
Lovastatin use has been associated with the following adverse effects [1, 5]:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Elevation in serum AST and ALT
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Headaches
- Increased creatinine phosphokinase (CK)
- Myalgia, weakness, muscle cramps
- Skin rashes
Though rarer, more serious side effects include:
- Cognitive impairments (memory loss, confusion, etc.)
- Diabetes
- Endocrine dysfunction
- Hepatoxicity
- Myopathy
Additionally, lovastatin does not have any abuse potential.
What is Kratom?
Much like coffee or the coca leaf, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an all-natural herbal stimulant. However, it has a few other tricks up its sleeves as well.
In lower doses, kratom is a potent stimulant, similar in effects to caffeine.
However, in higher doses, kratom has euphoric, analgesic, and sedative qualities.
When consumed in lower doses, kratom acts as a stimulant and can produce various cognitive benefits like increased mental energy and attention. It has also been known to produce feelings of euphoria.
But it doesn’t stop there. In higher doses, kratom begins to produce a different set of benefits. It’s used as a powerful painkiller due to its opioid-like effects. Others use it to help manage anxiety or insomnia as well.
Kratom is an unregulated substance, and wide-scale studies are still needed. There are likely even more benefits waiting to be discovered.
What’s the Dose of Kratom?
It’s absolutely crucial to get your kratom dosage right.
As we’ve just seen, the effects of the kratom plant are highly dependent on dosage. If you want to make the best out of your kratom experience, then choose the right dosage for the job.
- Low dose (1 – 5 g): Produces nootropic and stimulant effects such as increased mental functioning and euphoria.
- Medium dose (5 – 10 g): Analgesic and anxiolytic properties start to become more evident at this range.
- High dose (10 – 15 g): heavy doses of kratom provide strong pharmacological benefits as well as potent sedative-like effects.
Remember that everyone’s bodies are different, and formulaic dosage recommendations are generally best avoided.
Also see: How Long Does it Take for Kratom to Kick In?
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
Like all other drugs, kratom has its share of side effects.
If you’re looking to experiment, you should become familiar with the typical adverse effects of kratom:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Itchiness
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Low libido
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Seizures
- Tremors
Additionally, kratom can also cause symptoms of physical as well as mental dependence.
Be sure to draw back your kratom consumption if you begin to notice excessive side effects or dependence symptoms. Generally, kratom’s side effects are mild and can be controlled through proper dosage.
What Are the Different Types of Kratom?
The kratom plant exists in 4 different strain variations.
These strains are a great way to further enhance your kratom experience; their differing alkaloid content means each one has a slightly distinct psychoactive profile.
The overall effects will still be the same for each of them, but every strain emphasizes a different area of the kratom spectrum.
Learn the specialties of every strain, and you’ll always be in control.
White Vein Kratom
White-veined kratom strains are most associated with the effects of a low dose of kratom: that would be the stimulant, mind-based benefits like better concentration and euphoria.
This is the best strain for the job if you’re interested in kratom as a morning pick-me-up.
Red Vein Kratom
As opposed to white vein kratoms trains, red vein kratom is best at stimulating the effects of a high dose of kratom.
Due to its ability to produce analgesic and anxiolytic benefits, this strain is quite popular with those experiencing chronic pain.
Green Vein Kratom
Green vein kratom is sort of like the middle point between red and white. Instead of emphasizing one spectrum area, it gives a perfectly balanced kratom experience.
If you want to experience all of what kratom has to offer: go with a green-veined strain.
Yellow Vein Kratom
There is nothing particularly exciting about yellow vein kratom. Users report it’s almost identical to a green-veined strain, except for the fact that the effects are much milder.
First-timers and those with a sensitivity to kratom gravitate towards this strain.
Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Mix Kratom & Lovastatin?
No, using both kratom and lovastatin will place you at an increased risk of side effects, some of which can be severe.
The fact that lovastatin is taken daily makes the risk even more pronounced. If you have a lovastatin prescription, you’re best off if you avoid consuming kratom.
If, for some reason, you feel like you have to consume kratom while on lovastatin, make sure it’s a low dose and never do it two days in a row.
Or you could consult your doctor for an appropriate compound to replace kratom with.
- Henwood, J. M., & Heel, R. C. (1988). Lovastatin. Drugs, 36(4), 429-454.
- Kamble, S. H., Sharma, A., King, T. I., León, F., McCurdy, C. R., & Avery, B. A. (2019). Metabolite profiling and identification of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of mitragynine, the major alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). Xenobiotica, 49(11), 1279-1288.
- Hanapi, N. A., Ismail, S., & Mansor, S. M. (2013). Inhibitory effect of mitragynine on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. Pharmacognosy Research, 5(4), 241.
- Endo, A. (1992). The discovery and development of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Journal of lipid research, 33(11), 1569-1582.
- Duong, H., & Bajaj, T. (2021). Lovastatin. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
