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EspañolLovastatin overview
BRAND NAMES:
Altoprev, Mevacor
Generic Names:
Lovastatin
Uses:
Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. May reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel problems. This is a statin medicine.
Therapeutic Classes:
Antihyperlipidemic
Forms:
Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Lovastatin used for?
Lovastatin is a medication used to treat high cholesterol. Lovastatin belongs to a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly referred to as “statins.” Lovastatin is a generic medication also available under the trade name Mevacor sold by Merck & Co. Lovastatin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1987. It was the first drug of its class approved by the FDA. Lovastatin is a very commonly prescribed medication.
What form(s) does Lovastatin come in
Tablet
Long Acting Tablet
What are common Lovastatin doses?
Tablet 10MG
Tablet 20MG
Tablet 40MG
Common Lovastatin prescriptions
Lovastatin
90 tablets bottleLovastatin
10mg tabletLovastatin
20mg tabletLovastatin
40mg tablet
How to take Lovastatin
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take the tablet with food. Take the extended-release tablet without food.
Take the medicine in the evening, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Take the medicine in the evening, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Take the tablet with food. Take the extended-release tablet without food.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Lovastatin contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to lovastatin, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an active liver disease.
Lovastatin warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, or a history of stroke or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you drink alcohol regularly.
This medicine may cause the following problems:Severe muscle problems (including myopathy, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy), especially when used with other medicinesRhabdomyolysis (severe muscle weakness) that could lead to kidney damageLiver problems
Tell your doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery or medical tests, a major injury, or other serious health problems.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Lovastatin interactions
Do not use this medicine together with boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, cyclosporine, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, posaconazole, telaprevir, telithromycin, voriconazole, or certain medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.
Some medicines can affect how lovastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Amiodarone, cimetidine, colchicine, danazol, diltiazem, dronedarone, niacin (vitamin B3), ranolazine, spironolactone, verapamilBlood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine to treat fungus infections (including fluconazole, voriconazole)Other medicine for lowering cholesterol (including fenofibrate)
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Lovastatin side effects
Serious Side Effects
Unusual tiredness
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Less Serious Side Effects
Headache