Ticagrelor and Statins: Dangerous Liaisons? (PubMed, Cardiovasc Drugs Ther)
Statins have different pharmacokinetic profiles; some undergo CYP3A4-mediated metabolism; rosuvastatin is primarily metabolized by the CYP2C9; and they have different affinities for drug transporters...Large pharmacovigilance and small observational studies reported increased rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with some statins and ticagrelor but not aspirin, clopidogrel or prasugrel. Recent studies in vitro, pharmacokinetic trials and in silico drug modelling identified and validated the BCRP inhibition by ticagrelor, as a mechanism contributing to the DDI with statins, as 'victim' drugs, leading to increased rhabdomyolysis. While the clinical impact of this DDI deserves further investigation, a careful evaluation should be advised when ticagrelor is co-prescribed with some statins.