Uses
What is lovastatin used for?
Lovastatin is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) in the blood, which helps reduce the buildup of cholesterol in your blood vessels (atherosclerosis), the risk of heart attack, chest pain, and the need for heart surgery.
Lovastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does lovastatin work (mechanism of action)?
Lovastatin lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the breakdown of bad cholesterol.
How is lovastatin supplied (dosage forms)?
Lovastatin is available as Altoprev and generic lovastatin in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 20 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 40 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 60 mg extended-release oral tablets
- 10 mg oral tablets
- 20 mg oral tablets
- 40 mg oral tablets
How should I store lovastatin?
Lovastatin should be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of lovastatin?
The most common side effects of lovastatin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Muscle spasms or pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Stuffy or runny nose, flu-like symptoms
- Pain (including back pain)
- Infection
There may be other side effects of lovastatin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of lovastatin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of lovastatin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Muscle Problems. Lovastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking lovastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
- Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
- Dark colored urine
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Severe Allergic Reactions. Lovastatin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using lovastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking lovastatin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light colored poop
- Dark colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Increased Blood Sugar. Lovastatin can sometimes increase blood sugar (glucose), which is called hyperglycemia. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to lower your risk for high blood sugar.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use lovastatin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use/take lovastatin.
- Lovastatin
- Mevacor
- Altoprev
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lovastatin products they stock.
Liver Problems. Lovastatin should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
Drug Interactions. Lovastatin should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking lovastatin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about lovastatin before using it?
Do not take lovastatin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share lovastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Do not chew, cut, or crush lovastatin extended-release tablets, they should be swallowed whole.
Take lovastatin in the evening. Certain forms of lovastatin should be taken with the evening meal. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about the best way to take your medicine.
Keep lovastatin out of the reach of children.
Maintain a healthy body weight and diet to reduce the risk of high blood sugar that can occur from taking lovastatin.
People aged 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of lovastatin, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using lovastatin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if lovastatin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- History of stroke
- Thyroid problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Lovastatin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking lovastatin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. Lovastatin may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking lovastatin right away and contact your healthcare provider.
Breastfeeding. Do not take lovastatin while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if lovastatin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does lovastatin interact with foods or drinks?
Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (1.2 liters or more) while taking lovastatin. Grapefruit juice can make lovastatin stay in your body for longer than normal, and possibly reach a higher blood level. This increases the risk of muscle pain and damage from lovastatin.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking lovastatin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink significant amounts of alcohol. Tell your healthcare provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking lovastatin.
Does lovastatin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using lovastatin.
- A medicine used for HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis C
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend) which are medicines used for fungus infections
- Erythromycin or clarithromycin, which are medicines used for bacterial infections
- Colchicine, which is commonly used for gout
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Amiodarone, dronedarone, diltiazem, verapamil, and ranolazine, which are medicines used for certain heart conditions.
- Niacin or a fibrate such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor), or fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), which are medicines for high cholesterol
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of lovastatin, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with lovastatin. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much lovastatin?
If you or someone else has used too much lovastatin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of lovastatin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours has passed since your last dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.
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