Mevacor Consumer Information

Mevacor

Generic Name: lovastatin (LOE va sta tin)
Brand Names: Altocor, Altoprev, Mevacor

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)?

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.

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)?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, gas, bloating, stomach upset, heartburn;

• nausea;

• constipation; or

• 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:

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);

• danazol (Danocrine);

• gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);

• niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);

• nefazodone (Serzone);

• amiodarone (Cordarone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), or verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin);

• drugs that weaken your immune system such as cancer medicine or steroids, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), and others;

• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nefazodone (Serzone), or paroxetine (Paxil);

• erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, others), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

• 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.