Warning: following info is intended to supplement, not substitute for, expertise and expertise & judgment of your pharmacist. it should not be construed to indicate that use about pill is safe or effective for you. Consult you're pharmacist before using this drug.

Lovastatin - oral

(low-vuh-stat-in)

common brand names: Mevacor

Related Drugs : Mevacor, Mevacor, Lovastatin

Mevacor Usage: Lovastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a 'statin'. It's used along with proper diet to help lower cholesterol & fats (triglycerides) in blood. in general, it drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful in lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes & heart attacks. Lovastatin is used in adults and children (10 years of age & older). Young girls must have had there menstrual periods for at least one year before starting it medication.

How to use Mevacor: Take this medication by mouth usually one time per day with your evening meal, or as directed by your doctor. some patients may require 2 times per day dosing. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, & use of certain interacting medicines. many of medications listed in drug Interactions section may increase chances of muscle injury when used with lovastatin. Consult your doctor or healthcare professional for more details. Limit the amount about grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart day) while being treated with it drug, unless specifically directed otherwise. Grapefruit juice may increase amount of certain medications in youre bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you also take certain other drugs to lower youre cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take lovastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after these medications. Use this medication regularly in order to get most benefit from this. Remember to use this at same time each day. this may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this tablet takes effect. it is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. most poeple with high cholesterol or triglycerides don't feel sick.

Mevacor side effects: Constipation or stomach pain may occur. If any about these effects persist or worsen, notify youre doctor or pharmacist promptly. this drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taking this tablet and tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell you're healthcare professional immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes & skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine. serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms about a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or doctor.

Mevacor Precautions: this medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult youre doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease. Before using this medication, tell you're doctor or pharmacist you're medical history, especially about: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly controlled), alcohol use, any allergies (especially to other 'statins'). rare development of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney problems. this medication is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can increase youre risk of developing kidney problems. Before stopping youre drug, notify your doctor immediately if you have any of following conditions: major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.g., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), very low blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures. Limit alcoholic beverages. per day use of alcohol may increase your chance since serious side effects. Caution is advised when using it medication in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of medication, especially muscle damage. this med must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It's recommended that young girls & gir of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking this med since lovastatin can cause fetal harm. Based on following information from related medications, this medication may pass at to breast milk & have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding isnt recommended while using this medication. Consult your pharmacist before breast-feeding.

Mevacor drug interactions: see also How To Use section. this drug must not be used with next pills because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur: certain azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin. If you currently using any of these drugs, tell you're physician or pharmacist before starting lovastatin. Use caution if the following drugs combined with lovastatin because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day). Before using this med, tell you're doctor or physician about all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: azithromycin, 'blood thinners' (e.g., warfarin), cholestyramine, colestipol, other drugs which affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors, & inducers such as amiodarone, cyclosporine, diltiazem, verapamil, rifampin, St. John's wort, carbamazepine). don't start or stop any medicine without healthcare professional or pharmacist approval.

Mevacor Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Mevacor special notes: don't share this med with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or money for side effects. Consult your physician for more details. for best results, this medication should be used along with exercise, low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and weight loss program if you are overweight. Also to help reduce your risk about heart attacks and strokes, check some your blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking. Consult some your pharmacist for more details.

If you missed Mevacor dose: If you miss dose, use this as soon as you remember. If It's near clock of following dose, skip the missed dose & resume your usual dosing schedule. do not double dose to catch up.

Mevacor Storage: Store between 41 & 86 degrees F (5 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. do not store in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children & pets.

Active Ingredients : Lovastatin