Pronunciation: LOE-va-STAT-in
Generic Name: Lovastatin
Brand Name: Altoprev
Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets are used for:
Lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides in certain patients. It also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol levels. It is used along with an appropriate diet. It is used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack and chest pain caused by angina. It is also used to slow blood vessel blockage and to reduce the need for medical procedures to open blocked heart blood vessels. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets are an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a "statin." It works by reducing the production of certain fatty substances in the body, including cholesterol.
Do NOT use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets
- you have liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you are taking macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), itraconazole, ketoconazole, mibefradil, nefazodone, or telithromycin
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have low blood pressure, a serious infection, kidney problems, diabetes, or a history of seizures
- if you are very ill, have certain muscle problems (eg, pain, weakness), or have metabolism, hormonal, or electrolyte problems
- if you drink alcohol or have a history of liver problems or alcohol abuse
- if you have a certain type of high cholesterol (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia)
- if you have had an organ transplant or have recently had major surgery or a serious injury
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Amiodarone, certain azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), danazol, diltiazem, fibrates (eg, gemfibrozil, clofibrate), fluconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imatinib, immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, niacin, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, delavirdine), streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), telithromycin, vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan), verapamil, or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of muscle or kidney problems
- Bosentan, carbamazepine, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cimetidine, digoxin, hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), or spironolactone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets:
Use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets by mouth with or without food.
- Take Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets at bedtime unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Swallow Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. The risk may be greater with large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (eg, more than one quart daily). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets.
- Continue to take Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Drinking alcohol daily or in large amounts may increase the risk of liver problems with Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while you are taking Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets.
- Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. Check with your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your doctor right away, especially if you also have a fever or general body discomfort.
- Lab tests, including blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) blood levels, may be performed while you use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially serious muscle problems.
- Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets.
Possible side effects of Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; nausea; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever or fatigue); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Lovastatin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets:
Store Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lovastatin Extended-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Lovastatin resources
- Lovastatin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Lovastatin Dosage
- Lovastatin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Lovastatin Drug Interactions
- Lovastatin Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Lovastatin - Add your own review/rating
Compare Lovastatin with other medications
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- High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous
- Hyperlipoproteinemia
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL
- Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb, Elevated LDL VLDL
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