Mevacor (Lovastatin)
Mevacor (Lovastatin) Dosage and Side Effects
MEVACOR is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels. MEVACOR is in a class of drugs known as statins, which reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood by blocking an enzyme that's needed to make cholesterol. When used in combination with diet, weight loss, and exercise, MEVACOR may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders.
Proper Use of this medication
The following are typical doses for treating high cholesterol:
Oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
Adults: At first, 20 to 60 milligrams (mg) once a day, in the evening at bedtime, taken as single dose. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
Children: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults: At first, 20 mg once a day, taken with an evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg per day.
Children ages 10-17: At first, 10 mg once a day, taken with an evening meal. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
Children younger than age 10: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them.
MEVACOR Overdose
Contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Missed Dose of MEVACOR
If you miss a dose of MEVACOR, take it as soon as you remember.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular medication schedule.
Do not "double up" to make up for a missed one.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects of MEVACOR
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following side effects.
- Memory loss or forgetfulness
- Confusion
- Constipation
Serious Side Effects of MEVACOR
Call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- Muscle pain or tenderness
- Weakness
- Lack of energy
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Dark-colored urine
- Fever
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Nausea
- Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- Flu-like symptoms
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Swelling of the throat, face, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Warnings and Precautions
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking MEVACOR.
These could be symptoms of serious muscle problems.
It’s also important to alert your healthcare provider if you have or have ever had seizures, low blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.
If you have liver disease, you may be required to take a special test to determine how well your liver is functioning before taking MEVACOR.
Keep taking MEVACOR, even if you feel well. Don’t stop taking this medicine before talking to your doctor.
You'll need to get your cholesterol levels checked frequently while taking MEVACOR to determine your body’s response to the drug.
You should tell your doctor and laboratory staff that you are taking MEVACOR before having lab tests done.
Pregnancy and MEVACOR
Pregnant women should not use MEVACOR, as studies have linked the drug with fetal abnormalities.
Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or might become pregnant before taking MEVACOR.
If you become pregnant while taking MEVACOR, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.
Many doctors also recommend that women who are breastfeeding infants not use MEVACOR. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using MEVACOR while breastfeeding.
Interactions with this medication
You should tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you are taking, especially:
- Boceprevir (Victrelis)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Erythromycin (E.E.S.,EryC)
- Itraconazole (Sporanox)
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Nefazodone (Serzone)
- Certain HIV protease inhibitors including amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus)
- Posaconazole (Noxafil)
- Telaprevir (Incivek)
- Telithromycin (Ketek)
- Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
- Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- Danazol (Danocrine)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
- Other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Ranolazine (Ranexa)
- Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
- Voriconazole (Vfend)
MEVACOR and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol while on MEVACOR can increase the risks of serious side effects.
Talk to your doctor about these risks.
MEVACOR and Other Interactions
Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking MEVACOR. Don’t consume more than 1 liter per day.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
