lovastatin

Brand name(s):

Altoprev, Mevacor

What is the most important information I should know about 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 is 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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:

diabetes;
underactive thyroid;
kidney disease; or
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.

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