Lovastatin is used in combination with proper nutritional intake and adequate physical activity to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also used to reduce the likelihood of heart surgery in people with high cardiovascular risk or those suffering from a heart disease. Lovastatin is also used to reduce the levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood.
What is Lovastatin?
Lovastatin works by reducing the production of cholesterol.
How should Lovastatin be taken?
Lovastatin is taken orally in the form of tablets (including sustained-release). The dose recommended may be one or two tablets with meals or a prolonged release tablet before going to bed, strictly to be swallowed whole.
Usually, your doctor will initially prescribe a lower dose and then gradually increase it whenever necessary.
Side effects associated with Lovastatin
Possible side effects of Lovastatin include the following:
- Constipation
- Memory loss or forgetfulness
- Confusion
You should immediately contact a doctor if the drug triggers:
- Pain, tenderness, or muscle weakness
- Lack of energy
- Fever
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Extreme fatigue
- Nausea
- Bleeding or bruising
- Loss of appetite
- Flu-like symptoms
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Respiratory distress
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling in the face, throat, tongue , lips , eyes, hands, feet, ankles or calves
- Hoarseness
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Lovastatin
Taking Lovastatin should be combined with a diet low in fat and cholesterol as well as regular exercise. During treatment, consumption of grapefruit and its juice should be avoided.
Before taking the drug, it is important to inform your doctor:
- If you have any allergy to the active ingredient, its excipients or any other medication
- If you are taking any medicinal products, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: antifungal medications, boceprevir, clarithromycin, medicines containing cobicistat, erythromycin, nefazodone, HIV drugs, telaprevir and telithromycin, amiodarone, anticoagulants, cimetidine, colchicine, cyclosporine , danazol, diltiazem, dronedarone, other drugs for lowering cholesterol, spironolactone, ranolazine and verapamil
- How much alcohol you drink on a daily basis
- If you suffer (or have suffered) from liver disease
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is imporant to inform surgeons and dentists of any ongoing treatment with Lovastatin.
