Drug NameMevacor (Lovastatin) Drug UsesHigh LDL cholesterol is usually first treated with exercise, weight loss in obese individuals, and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. When these measures fail, cholesterol-lowering medications such as mevacor can be added. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has published treatment guidelines for use of these medications. These treatment guidelines take into account the level of LDL cholesterol as well as the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, low HDL cholesterol level, and family history of early coronary heart disease. The effectiveness of the medication in lowering cholesterol is dose- related. Blood cholesterol determinations are performed in regular intervals during treatment so that dosage adjustments can be made. A reduction in LDL cholesterol level can be seen two weeks after starting therapy. How to useMay be taken on an empty or full stomach. The medication seems to be most effective when given with the evening meal. Drug Class and MechanismMevacor is a cholesterol-lowering medicine. It inhibits the production of cholesterol by the liver. It lowers overall blood cholesterol as well as blood LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the development of coronary artery disease. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and may even reverse coronary artery disease. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of this medicine and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. Do not take 2 doses at once. Storage Tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Possible Side EffectsSide effects are rare. Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, headache, insomnia. Major side effects include abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes. More InformationFor best results, this medicine should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. Follow the dietary plan provided by your doctor. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out. Warnings/PrecautionsDo not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function tests and blood cholesterol levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before having any kind of surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine may increase the amount of this medicine in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking this medicine. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. For women: do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. It is recommended that women of childbearing age use effective birth control measures while taking this medicine since lovastatin may cause fetal harm. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
What is Mevacor (lovastatin)?
Lovastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
Lovastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Lovastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Mevacor (lovastatin)?
In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not take lovastatin if you have liver disease, or if you are breast-feeding.
Before taking lovastatin, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a blood disorder:
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lovastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lovastatin. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking lovastatin.
There are many other drugs that can interact with lovastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mevacor (lovastatin)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lovastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.
Before taking lovastatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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diabetes;
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underactive thyroid;
- kidney disease; or
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a muscle disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take lovastatin.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use lovastatin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether lovastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take lovastatin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Lovastatin is not for use in children younger than 10 years of age.
How should I take Mevacor (lovastatin)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take lovastatin with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Lovastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If you take lovastatin several times daily, take it with meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.
Lovastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
You may need to take lovastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
Store lovastatin at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of lovastatin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking Mevacor (lovastatin)?
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lovastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lovastatin. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking lovastatin.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with lovastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Mevacor (lovastatin) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using lovastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
Less serious side effects may include:
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mild stomach pain, gas, bloating, stomach upset, heartburn;
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nausea;
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constipation; or
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diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Mevacor (lovastatin)?
Many drugs can interact with lovastatin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
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cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
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danazol (Danocrine);
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gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
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niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
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nefazodone (Serzone);
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amiodarone (Cordarone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), or verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin);
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drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicine or steroids, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), and others;
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an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nefazodone (Serzone), or paroxetine (Paxil);
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erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, others), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
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an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
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HIV /AIDS medicine such as nelfinavir (Viracept) or ritonavir (Norvir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with lovastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about lovastatin.
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