Lovastatin

Uses of Lovastatin

Lovastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Lovastatin is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in adults with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

Precautions and Warnings

You should not use lovastatin if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you are pregnant or breastfeeding; or
• you have active liver disease.

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with lovastatin. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• nefazodone;
• an antibiotic–clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
• antifungal medicine–itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; or
• antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C–boceprevir, cobicistat, dasabuvir, elvitegravir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir saquinavir, telaprevir, tipranavir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Lovastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in older adults or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Do not use if you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Lovastatin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old

Dosage

The regular tablet usually is taken once or twice a day with meals. The extended-release tablet usually is taken once a day at bedtime. Take lovastatin at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lovastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• Headache
• Muscle spasms or pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Stuffy or runny nose, flu-like symptoms
• Pain (including back pain)
• Infection