What Is Lovastatin Used For?

Many people wonder, "What is lovastatin used for?" Lovastatin is used for the prevention of heart disease and the treatment of high cholesterol and high triglycerides. By controlling the rate of cholesterol production in the body, the medicine is effective in reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as increasing HDL cholesterol. Lovastatin can be used for treating both adults and children ages 10-17.

What Is Lovastatin Used For? -- An Overview

 Lovastatin (Mevacor®) is a medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions. These lovastatin uses include the:
 
High Cholesterol Treatment
Lovastatin is used for treating high cholesterol in people who cannot lower cholesterol through lifestyle changes. Lovastatin can lower total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol"), as well as increase HDL ("good cholesterol"). Lovastatin has also been shown to lower triglyceride levels in the blood.
 
Prevention of Heart Disease
Lovastatin is also used to decrease the chances of developing heart disease in people who do not have existing coronary heart disease but who do have high cholesterol. In this group, lovastatin has been shown to decrease the chances of:
 
It has also been shown to decrease the rate at which atherosclerosis develops in those with existing heart disease.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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