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Lovastatin

Prescription Required: Yes
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Description

Lovastatin is used to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body. It is also used in the treatment of long-term complications such as heart disease or stroke. A proper diet and regular exercise should be maintained along with taking this medicine. Moreover, this medicine is used in reducing the amount of cholesterol in children and patients between 10 to 17 years of age suffering from hypercholesterolemia (a genetic disorder).

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Lovastatin

  • Muscle painsevere
  • Bladder painsevere
  • Difficult or painful urinationsevere
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Blurred vision
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
SEVERE
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are experienced on a regular basis.
RARE
Observed in a small fraction of population.
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please inform your doctor if you experience any adverse reaction to the medication.

Highlights

Commonly asked questions for Lovastatin

Onset of action

The effect of this medicine can be observed in 3 days.

Duration of effect

The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 weeks

Safe with alcohol?

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Is it habit forming?

No habit forming tendencies were reported.

Usage in pregnancy?

This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

Usage while breast-feeding?

This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women.

What is it prescribed for?

Uses of Lovastatin

  • Hyperlipidemia

    Lovastatin is used to treat Hyperlipidemia, which is a condition characterized by high levels of lipids in the blood.

  • Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

    Lovastatin is used in the treatment of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia which is a genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels.

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When not to use?

Contraindications of Lovastatin

  • Allergy

    Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Lovastatin.

  • Liver disease

    Lovastatin is not recommended if you have an active liver disease indicated by high levels of Transaminase levels in the body.

Dosage

  • Missed Dose

    The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

  • Overdose

    Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

  • Description

    - Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Instructions

    - Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Disease interactions

  • Liver Disease

    severe
    Lovastatin should not be used in the patients with liver injury. Frequent monitoring of liver function is necessary. Dose adjustments are to be made based on the severity of the liver injury. Discontinue the treatment if symptoms worsen.

  • Rhabdomyolysis

    severe
    Any symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness or weakness should be reported to the doctor. Inform the doctor if you have any history of muscle disorder.

  • Diabetes

    moderate
    Before taking this medicine, inform the doctor if you are a diabetic patient. Close monitoring of blood glucose is necessary and appropriate diet should be maintained.

Food interactions

  • Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended when the patient is on Lovastatin. Any symptoms of tenderness, weakness, dark colored urine should be reported to the doctor. Frequent monitoring of kidney function is necessary.

Lab interactions

  • Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

Take Lovastatin as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. It is advised to take this medicine at the same time every day. A proper diet and regular exercise should be maintained along with this medicine. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects

Warnings

Warnings for special population

  • Pregnancy

    - This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

  • Breast-feeding

    - This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women.

General warnings

  • Cognitive impairment

    - Lovastatin can cause forgetfulness, memory loss and confusion. These side effects are reversible once the medicine is stopped.

  • Altered blood glucose levels

    - Lovastatin may increase the blood glucose levels. Monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary while you are on this medicine.

  • Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis

    - Lovastatin may increase the risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis which is a muscular disease. The risk of causing Myopathy is higher in the elderly population, and hence it should be used with caution.

  • Alcohol

    - Lovastatin should be used with caution in patients who consume large quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of the chronic liver disease.

  • Pediatric use

    - The safety and efficacy of Lovastatin have not been established in the children less than 10 years of age.

Other details

  • To be taken with food
  • To be taken at bedtime only
  • Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

It works by inhibiting an enzyme which is the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis.

Legal Status

Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved

Classification

Category
Statins
Schedule
Schedule H

References

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Information on this page was last updated on 5 Jan 2018

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Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.