Which of the following statins are metabolized by CYP3A4?

Atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are indeed metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme, which plays a significant role in the metabolism of various drugs. Statins that are metabolized by this enzyme can have interactions with other medications that also undergo CYP3A4 metabolism, leading to altered drug plasma levels and potential side effects.

When considering the importance of CYP3A4 in drug metabolism, atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are particularly notable because they are commonly prescribed statins and have well-documented pharmacokinetic profiles. This aspect also indicates that these statins can be affected by inhibitors or inducers of the CYP3A4 pathway, which is crucial for healthcare providers when prescribing these medications.

In contrast, pravastatin, pitavastatin, and fluvastatin are not significantly metabolized by CYP3A4, making them more suitable choices for patients who are at risk of drug interactions. This factor underscores the importance of understanding drug metabolism pathways when managing patient medications.