Details

Lovastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Lovastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL). Lovastatin is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Lovastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. You should not take lovastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have active liver disease. To make sure lovastatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have history of liver or kidney disease diabetes a thyroid disorder or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

Typical Uses

Lovastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Side Effects

In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that result in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark coloured urine. Other side effects of lovastatin may include signs of a kidney problem-little or no urinating painful or difficult urination swelling in your feet or ankles feeling tired or short of breath or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay- coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Lovastatin+amiodarone- Talk to your doctor before using lovastatin together with amiodarone. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Lovastatin+boceprevir- Using lovastatin together with boceprevir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Lovastatin+cobicistat- Using cobicistat together with lovastatin is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.
• Lovastatin+indinavir- Using lovastatin together with indinavir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of lovastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death.

Mechanism of action

Lovastatin belongs to a group of medications called statins (lipid-lowering agents) or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG CoA) that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, and thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

Pregnancy Category : X