Usage and Class of Lovastatin (Mevacor)

Lovastatin (another name is Mevacor) belongs to the statins class, drugs used for lowering cholesterol. Its mechanism is based on blockage of cholesterol production. Lovastatin causes the concentration of circulating LDL (low density lipoprotein) particles to reduce in the blood and cholesterol to be lost from them. Thus the medicine lowers the risk of arteries hardening associated with heart stroke and other heart problems along with vascular system diseases.

Taking and Additional Info

Please, inform your physician if any of the conditions listed here applies to you: underactive thyroid, a blood or a muscle disorder, diabetes, kidney problems.

The effectiveness of Lovastatin is substantially lower if you do not exclude products that are high in fat or cholesterol. To get the best possible results from your treatment consider a cholesterol-lowering diet.

Alcohol is definitely not compatible with Lovastatin, as in combination with the medicine it may increase triglyceride level. There is also a potential risk of liver damage.

Safety Information

In few patients Lovastatin was reported to become a cause of the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. Seek for medical help right away if any of listed symptoms applies to you: fever or flu symptoms, dark urine, muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Do not ignore the symptoms as this condition may develop into kidney failure.

Lovastatin is not for you in case you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the treatment. Breast-feeding mothers should also avoid taking the medicine. The drug may cause birth defects in the developing fetus when taken during pregnancy. When taking Lovastatin, a woman should consider the right type of birth control. If you detect pregnancy, stop taking Lovastatin immediately and turn to a healthcare professional for more information.

Among the contra-indications for taking Lovastatin are liver problems, allergic reactions to the medicine, pregnancy and breast-feeding. Additional tests and dose corrections will be needed for your complete safety if you have underactive thyroid, a blood or a muscle disorder, diabetes, kidney problems.

Lovastatin is known to interact with different drugs. Do not take any new medicine during the treatment with Lovastatin without a consultation with a healthcare professional. Be sure to inform your physician about all the prescription and other drugs that you use, including supplements, herbal products, vitamins and minerals.