Lovastatin
Lovastatin Oral tablet
What is this medicine?
LOVASTATIN (LOE va sta tin) is known as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or 'statin'. It lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. This drug may also reduce the risk of heart attack or other health problems in patients with risk factors for heart disease. Diet and lifestyle changes are often used with this drug.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
frequently drink alcoholic beverages
kidney disease
liver disease
muscle aches or weakness
other medical condition
an unusual or allergic reaction to lovastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
boceprevir
certain antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, and telithromycin
certain antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
gemfibrozil
herbal medicines like red yeast rice
medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole, ketoconazole, and posaconazole
mifepristone, RU-486
nefazodone
telaprevir
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
amiodarone
colchicine
cyclosporine
danazol
diltiazem
fluconazole
grapefruit juice
other medicines for high cholesterol
ranolazine
verapamil
voriconazole
warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness. Your doctor or health care professional may tell you to stop taking this medicine if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medicine, contact your health care professional.
This drug is only part of a total heart-health program. Your doctor or a dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to help. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.
Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant are possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you are going to have surgery tell your health care professional that you are taking this drug.
Some drugs may increase the risk of side effects from lovastatin. If you are given certain antibiotics or antifungals, your doctor or health care professional may stop lovastatin for a short time. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
dark urine
fever
joint pain
muscle cramps, pain
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
gas
heartburn
indigestion
stomach pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 5 and 30 degrees C (41 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Lovastatin Oral tablet, extended-release
What is this medicine?
LOVASTATIN (LOE va sta tin) is known as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or 'statin'. It lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. This drug may also reduce the risk of heart attack or other health problems in patients with risk factors for heart disease. Diet and lifestyle changes are often used with this drug.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
frequently drink alcoholic beverages
kidney disease
liver disease
muscle aches or weakness
other medical condition
an unusual or allergic reaction to lovastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water in the evening at bedtime. Do not crush or chew. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can if it is still the same day. Otherwise, wait until your next evening dose and get back on your normal schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
clarithromycin
delavirdine
erythromycin
grapefruit juice
herbal medicines like red yeast rice
protease inhibitors used to treat HIV infection
medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole, ketoconazole
mibefradil
nefazodone
other medicines for high cholesterol
telithromycin
troleandomycin
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
amiodarone
cyclosporine
danazol
diltiazem
fenofibrate
fluconazole
gemfibrozil
mifepristone, RU-486
niacin
St. John's wort
verapamil
voriconazole
warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness. Your doctor or health care professional may tell you to stop taking this medicine if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medicine, contact your health care professional.
This drug is only part of a total heart-health program. Your doctor or a dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to help. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.
Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant are possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you are going to have surgery tell your health care professional that you are taking this drug.
Some drugs may increase the risk of side effects from lovastatin. If you are given certain antibiotics or antifungals, your doctor or health care professional may stop lovastatin for a short time. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
dark urine
fever
joint pain
muscle cramps, pain
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
headache
stomach gas, pain, upset
nausea
trouble sleeping
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Avoid exposure to heat. Keep container tightly closed (protect from moisture). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert