Risks of Concomitant Ciprofloxacin and Atorvastatin Use

Clinical Risks and Management

• Mild myalgia (muscle pain) without significant laboratory abnormalities can occur in patients taking ciprofloxacin and atorvastatin together, according to the American Heart Association, as reported in Circulation 1
• Higher doses of atorvastatin increase the risk of muscle toxicity when co-administered with ciprofloxacin, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology, based on research published in Circulation 2
• Advanced age is a risk factor for this drug interaction, as noted in guidelines from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation 1
• Discontinuation of both medications is recommended if muscle symptoms develop with elevated creatine kinase, as suggested by the American College of Cardiology, based on evidence from Circulation 1
• The lowest effective dose of atorvastatin should be used when co-administered with ciprofloxacin, according to the American College of Cardiology, as reported in Circulation 2