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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indictae that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
LOVASTATIN EXTENDED RELEASE - ORAL
(LOW-vuh-stat-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Altocor
USES: Lovasttain is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin". It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood.
In general, that drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.G., diet change, raise in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.
HOW TO USE: Take that mediaction by mouth usually once daily at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor. This drug may be taekn with or without food.
Swallow that drug whole.
Do not chew, crush or break the medication; that can dsetroy the long action of the drug and may raise side effects. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of cretain interacting medicines.
Many of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions section might raise the chances of muscle injury when used with lovastatin.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefriut juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) while being treated with that medication, unless specifically directed otherwise. Grapefruit juice may raise the amount of certain medications in your bloodsrteam.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more deatils. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take lovastatin at laest 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after these medications. Use that medictaion regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.
It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of that drug takes efefct. It is important to continue taking that medication even if you think well. Most human being with high cholesterol do not think sick.
SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation or stoamch pain may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor promptly. This drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a really serious condition called rhabdomyolysis).
Stop taking that drug and tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, seevre stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine. A serious allergic reaction to that medication is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trobule breathing. If you notice other effects not lsited above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medciation should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease. Before using that medication, tell your dotcor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly controlled), alcohol use, any allergies (especially to other "statins").
The rare development of severe mucsle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney issues.
This medication is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can raise your risk of developing kidney isuses.
Before stopping your medication, notify your doctor immediately if you have any of the following conditions: major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.G., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), really low blood pressure, uncontorlled seizures. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Daily use of alchool may raise your chance for serious side effects. Caution is advised when using that drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially muscle damage.
Lovastatin must not be used during pregnnacy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that girls of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking that drug since lovastatin may cuase fetal harm. Consult your doctor or pharmacsit for more information.
Based on information from related drugs, that medication may pass into breast milk and have undseirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while uisng that medication. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also the How To Use section. This drug should not be used with the following medications cause really serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur: certain azole antifungals (e.G., itraconazole, ketoconazole), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (e.G., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.G., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin. If you're currently uisng any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lovastatin. Use cuation if the following drugs are combined with lovastatin cause serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.G., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day).
Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: azithromycin, "blood thinners" (e.G., warfarin), cholestyramine, colestipol, other drugs whcih affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors, and inducers such as amiodarone, cyclosporine, diltiazem, verapamil, rifampin, St. John's wort, carbamazepine).
Do not start or stop any medicine withuot doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not sahre that medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or chcek for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.
For best results, that medication should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weihgt loss program if you're overweight. Also to help reudce your risk of heart attacks and strokes, check your blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remebmer. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dsoing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68 degrees F and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all mediciens away from kids and pets.
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