Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Altoprev, Mevacor

Generic Name: lovastatin (Pronunciation: LOE va sta tin)

• What is lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What are the possible side effects of lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• How should I take lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What should I avoid while taking lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• What other drugs will affect lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?

Lovastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.

Lovastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

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

Altoprev 20 mg

round, orange, imprinted with LOGO 20

Altoprev 40 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO 40

Altoprev 60 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO 60

Lovastatin 10 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, L10

Lovastatin 10 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M L19

Lovastatin 10 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 926, 93

Lovastatin 20 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with APO, LOV 20

Lovastatin 20 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with M L20

Lovastatin 20 mg-TEV

round, blue, imprinted with 576, 93

Lovastatin 40 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with LOV 40, APO

Lovastatin 40 mg-MYL

round, pink, imprinted with M L21

Lovastatin 40 mg-TEV

round, green, imprinted with 928, 93

Mevacor 20 mg

octagonal, blue, imprinted with MEVACOR, MSD 731

Mevacor 40 mg

octagonal, green, imprinted with MEVACOR, MSD 732

What are the possible side effects of lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?

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

Stop using lovastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach pain, gas, bloating, stomach upset, heartburn;
• nausea;
• constipation; or
• diarrhea.

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 is the most important information I should know about lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)?

In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not take lovastatin if you have liver disease, or if you are breast-feeding.

Before taking lovastatin, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a blood disorder:

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lovastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lovastatin. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking lovastatin.

There are many other drugs that can interact with lovastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.