Red yeast rice, which contains lovastatin, should also be avoided during treatment with telaprevir.
Fluvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin are probably safer alternatives, since they are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4. All patients treated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.