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lovastatin

lovastatin

Pronunciation: LOE va sta tin

Brand: Altoprev

Lovastatin

slide 1 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 576, TEVA

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 2 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, peach, imprinted with 926, TEVA

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Lovastatin

slide 3 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with 928, TEVA

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Lovastatin

slide 4 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, orange, imprinted with E 70

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Lovastatin

slide 5 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, blue, imprinted with E 72

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Lovastatin

slide 6 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with E 74

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Lovastatin

slide 7 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI, 142

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 8 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 143

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Lovastatin

slide 9 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, pink, imprinted with 634

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Lovastatin

slide 10 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 635

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 11 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 141

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 12 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 142

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 13 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 143

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Lovastatin

slide 14 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, pink, imprinted with LOGO, 634

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 15 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO, 635

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 16 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 141

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 17 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 142

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 18 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 143

Image of Lovastatin
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Lovastatin

slide 19 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with E 74

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Lovastatin

slide 20 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, oval, green, imprinted with LU, G01

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Lovastatin

slide 21 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with LU, G03

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Altoprev

slide 22 of 35, Altoprev,

20 mg, round, orange, imprinted with LOGO 20

Image of Altoprev
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Altoprev

slide 23 of 35, Altoprev,

40 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO 40

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Altoprev

slide 24 of 35, Altoprev,

60 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO 60

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Lovastatin

slide 25 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with APO, L10

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Lovastatin

slide 26 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, orange, imprinted with MP 532

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Lovastatin

slide 27 of 35, Lovastatin,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with M L19

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Lovastatin

slide 28 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with APO, LOV 20

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Lovastatin

slide 29 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, blue, imprinted with MP 533

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Lovastatin

slide 30 of 35, Lovastatin,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with M L20

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Lovastatin

slide 31 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with LOV 40, APO

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Lovastatin

slide 32 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with MP 534

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Lovastatin

slide 33 of 35, Lovastatin,

40 mg, round, pink, imprinted with M L21

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Mevacor

slide 34 of 35, Mevacor,

20 mg, octagonal, blue, imprinted with MEVACOR, MSD 731

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Mevacor

slide 35 of 35, Mevacor,

40 mg, octagonal, green, imprinted with MEVACOR, MSD 732

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What is the most important information I should know about lovastatin?

You should not take lovastatin if you have active liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.

What is lovastatin?

Lovastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Lovastatin is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in adults with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

Lovastatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lovastatin?

You should not use lovastatin if you are allergic to it, or if:

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding; or
  • you have active liver disease.

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with lovastatin. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

  • nefazodone;
  • an antibiotic --clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
  • antifungal medicine --itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; or
  • antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C --boceprevir, cobicistat, dasabuvir, elvitegravir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir saquinavir, telaprevir, tipranavir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease;
  • muscle pain or weakness;
  • kidney disease;
  • a thyroid disorder; or
  • if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Lovastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in older adults or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Do not use if you are pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Lovastatin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take lovastatin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your cholesterol levels improve, and you may need frequent blood tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

You may need to stop using lovastatin for a short time if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Lovastatin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking lovastatin?

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or lovastatin will not be as effective.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Grapefruit may interact with lovastatin and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of lovastatin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Lovastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back;
  • trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing;
  • kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
  • liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

  • infections;
  • headache; or
  • accidental injury.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect lovastatin?

Some drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems if you take them together with lovastatin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

  • cyclosporine;
  • danazol;
  • gemfibrozil, fenofibric acid, fenofibrate; or
  • medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others).

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect lovastatin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about lovastatin.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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