altocorLovastatin Er

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altocor Lovastatin Er - Oral Altoprev , Mevacor | Altocor

Prescription Drug Information, Side Effects & Interactions for altocor Lovastatin Er - Oral

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, Altocor 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.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68 degrees F and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 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.

altocor Lovastatin Er - Oral Altoprev , Mevacor | Altocor

How To Use

Take Altocor by mouth usually once daily at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor.
Altocor may be taken with or without food.
Swallow Altocor whole.
Do not chew, crush or break the medication; this can destroy the long action of Altocor and may increase side effects.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines.
Many of Altocors listed in the Drug Interactions section might 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 Altocor, 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 Altocor 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 Altocor takes effect.
It is important to continue taking Altocor even if you feel well.
Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick.

Side Effects

Constipation or stomach pain may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Altocor may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis).
Stop taking Altocor 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 Altocor 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

Altocor should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using Altocor, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease.
Before using Altocor, 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.
Altocor 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 Altocor in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of Altocor, 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 women of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking Altocor since lovastatin may cause fetal harm.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Based on information from related drugs, Altocor may pass into breast milk and have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
Breast-feeding is not recommended while using Altocor.
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.
Altocor 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 Altocor, 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.