Lovastatin is a prescription medication used for treating a number of conditions related to
heart disease, including
high cholesterol and
high triglycerides. It is part of a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which are more popularly known as statins. It is sold under the brand name
Mevacor® but is also available as a generic called Lovastatin tablets ("lovastatin"). There are also
lovastatin extended-release tablets that are available under the brand name
Altoprev®.
Lovastatin is manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals and PAR Pharmaceuticals.
What Is Lovastatin Used For?
Lovastatin has been licensed for several uses, including:
Lovastatin has also been approved for use in children ages 10 to 17 for the treatment of high cholesterol.
How Does Lovastatin Work?
Lovastatin is part of a class of drugs called statins.
Lovastatin works by blocking a particular enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. Lovastatin also:
In previous lovastatin research studies, people taking lovastatin 20 mg once in the evening were able to, on average, decrease
LDL cholesterol by 27 percent, total cholesterol by 19 percent, and
increase HDL by 6 percent. At this dosage,
triglycerides actually went up 9 percent. At other doses, triglycerides decreased by as much as 27 percent. The effects of lovastatin on cholesterol and triglyceride levels are greater for the higher doses of lovastatin.
When and How to Take Lovastatin
Some general considerations for when and how to take lovastatin include:
- Your lovastatin medication should be taken with the evening meal.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not break, chew, or crush the lovastatin tablets.
- For lovastatin to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Lovastatin will not work if you stop taking it.
- Unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so, do not adjust your lovastatin dose.
Lovastatin Dietary Instructions
It is recommended that people on lovastatin not drink grapefruit juice because it can increase the levels of lovastatin in the blood, which can increase the risk of developing serious muscle problems. If you are being treated with lovastatin and want to continue drinking grapefruit juice, talk to your doctor about other cholesterol-lowering medications that you can take
(see Grapefruit Juice and Mevacor for more information).
The dose of lovastatin that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of lovastatin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of lovastatin side effects with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with lovastatin, but not everyone who takes lovastatin will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate lovastatin well. When side effects occur, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. If side effects do occur, most people do not need to stop their medicine.
The most common side effects thought to be related to lovastatin include:
- Gas -- up to 4.5 percent of people
- Constipation -- up to 3.5 percent of people
- Headache -- up to 3.2 percent of people
- Muscle pain, known medically as myalgia -- up to 3 percent of people (see Mevacor and Muscle Pain)
- Diarrhea -- up to 2.6 percent of people
- Abdominal pain -- up to 2.5 percent of people.
Other rare side effects, occurring in less than one percent of people, include, but are not limited to:
Keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if you also have a fever or feel ill), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign of a serious, life-threatening muscle problem.
Lovastatin: Drug Interactions
Lovastatin has a number of medicines that it can potentially interact with.
Lovastatin: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Prior to taking lovastatin, you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Mevacor and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Will be undergoing a procedure or surgery
- Drink alcohol frequently.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Because lovastatin can lower LDL cholesterol (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing
HDL), peaople can lower their risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol.
If you happen to overdose on lovastatin, seek medical attention immediately.
Lovastatin Storage Methods
Lovastatin should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture.
Keep lovastatin and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Lovastatin?
If you do not take your lovastatin as scheduled, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and take your next dose instead. Never take a double dose!
There are several strengths of lovastatin available. These include:
- Lovastatin 10 mg
- Lovastatin 20 mg
- Lovastatin 40 mg.
Lovastatin tablets is the generic form of lovastatin (
Mevacor).
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