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Lovastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a statin . It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, Lovastatin is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Lovastatin is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older). Young girls must have had their menstrual periods for at least one year before starting Lovastatin.
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Mevacor
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Lovastatin-Oral
Mevacor
Uses
Lovastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a statin . It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, Lovastatin is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Lovastatin is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older). Young girls must have had their menstrual periods for at least one year before starting Lovastatin.
Storage
- Store between 41 and 86 degrees F (5 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Photos
How To Use
- Take Lovastatin by mouth usually once daily with your evening meal, or as directed by your doctor.
- Some patients may require twice daily dosing.
- Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines.
- Many of Lovastatins listed in the Drug Interactions section may increase the chances of muscle injury when used with lovastatin.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
- Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) while being treated with Lovastatin, unless specifically directed otherwise.
- Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
- If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take lovastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after these medications.
- Use Lovastatin regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
- Remember to use it at the same time each day.
- It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of Lovastatin takes effect.
- It is important to continue taking Lovastatin even if you feel well.
- Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.
Side Effects
- Constipation or stomach pain may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
- Lovastatin may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis).
- Stop taking Lovastatin and tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness).
- Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine.
- A serious allergic reaction to Lovastatin is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
- If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Lovastatin should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using Lovastatin, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease.
- Before using Lovastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly controlled), alcohol use, any allergies (especially to other statins ).
- The rare development of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney problems.
- Lovastatin is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can increase your risk of developing kidney problems.
- Before stopping your medication, notify your doctor immediately if you have any of the following conditions: major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.g., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), very low blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.
- Daily use of alcohol may increase your chance for serious side effects.
- Caution is advised when using Lovastatin in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of Lovastatin, especially muscle damage.
- Lovastatin must not be used during pregnancy.
- If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
- It is recommended that young girls and women of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking Lovastatin since lovastatin may cause fetal harm.
- Based on information from related drugs, Lovastatin may pass into breast milk and have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended while using Lovastatin.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- See also the How To Use section.
- Lovastatin should not be used with the following medications because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur: certain azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin.
- If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lovastatin.
- Use caution if the following drugs are combined with lovastatin because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day).
- Before using Lovastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: azithromycin, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), cholestyramine, colestipol, other drugs which affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors, and inducers such as amiodarone, cyclosporine, diltiazem, verapamil, rifampin, St.
- John s wort, carbamazepine).
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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