http://branddrugsonline.info Altocor, Lovastatin Extended Release - Oral Brand Drug Feed Mon, 21 May 2012 04:16:03 CDT en http://altocor.341.lovastatin-extended-release-oral.branddrugsonline.info/
It should not be constured to indicate 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: Lovastatin 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 otpions have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.G., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerieds help prevent strokes and heart attacks. HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth usually once daily at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor.
This drug may be taken with or without food.

Swallow that drug whole.
Do not chew, crush or break the medication; that can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain intreacting medicines.
Many of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions scetion might increase the chances of muscle injury when used with lovastatin. Consult your doctor or phamracist for more details. Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit jucie you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) while being treated with that medication, unless specifically directed otherwise. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream.
Cnosult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take lovastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 huors after these medications. Use that medication 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 beofre the full benefit of that drug takes effect.

It is important to continue taikng that medication even if you believe well. Most hmuan being with high cholesterol do not believe sick. SIDE EFFECTS: Constipaiton or stomach pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify 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, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine. A serious allergic reaction to that medication is unlikely but seek imemdiate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reactoin include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, cotnact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have cetrain medical conditions. Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease. Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, histroy of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly controlled), alcohol use, any allergies (especially to other "statins").
The rare deevlopment of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) can infrequently lead to serious kidney troubles. This medication is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can increase your risk of developing kidney torubles. Befroe 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, uncontrolled seizures.
Limit alcoholic beverages.

Daily use of alcohol may increase 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 pregnacny. If you become pregnant or guess you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immeditaely. It is recommended that women of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures to prevent pergnancy while taking that drug for lovastatin may cause fetal harm.
Consult your dotcor or pharmacist for more information. Based on information from related drugs, that medication may pass into breast milk and have undesirable effcets on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using that medicatoin.
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 anitbiotics (e.G., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin.

If you're curretnly using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lovastatin. Use caution if the following drugs are combined with lovastatin cause serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequnetly 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 durgs which 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 without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If ovredose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., blood cholesterol levels, liver fnuction tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check 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 wegiht loss program if you're overweight.

Also to help reduce 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 remember.

If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosnig schedule.
Do not dobule the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature betewen 68 degrees F and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not stroe in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from childern and pets.]]>