What is Mevacor used for?
LOVASTATIN is known as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor or 'statin'. It lowers cholesterol levels in your blood. This drug may also reduce the risk of a heart attack or other health problems for patients with risk factors for the heart diseases. Diet and lifestyle changes are often used with this drug.
What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking Mevacor?
Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- frequently drink alcoholic beverages
- kidney diseases
- liver diseases
- muscle aches or weakness
- other medical condition
- an unusual or allergic reaction to lovastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How is Mevacor should be taken?
Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. Take it with food. Your doses should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed.
Consult with your pediatrician regarding the possibility of use of this medicine by children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years old for certain conditions, the necessary precautions should be applied.
Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.
What to do if I missed a dose of Mevacor?
If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.
What are the possible interactions of Mevacor with the other medicine/food/etc?
This medicine should never be taken with any of the following drugs:
- clarithromycin
- delavirdine
- erythromycin
- grapefruit juice
- herbal medicines like red yeast rice
- protease inhibitors used to treat HIV infection
- medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole, ketoconazole
- mibefradil
- nefazodone
- other medicines for cholesterol
- telithromycin
- troleandomycin
It may also trigger possible interactions with the following:
- alcohol
- amiodarone
- cyclosporine
- danazol
- diltiazem
- fenofibrate
- gemfibrozil
- fluconazole
- mifepristone, RU-486
- niacin
- St. John's wort
- verapamil
- voriconazole
- warfarin
This list is not all-inclusive. Provide your health care provider with a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you use. Also tell them whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.
Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking Mevacor?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for the regular check-ups. You may need the regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
Tell you doctor or health care professional right away if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness.
This drug is only a part of a total heart-health program. Your doctor or a dietician can suggest you a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to help. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.
Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant are possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
If you are going to have a surgery tell your health care professional that you are taking this drug.
Some drugs may increase the risk of the side effects from lovastatin. If you are given certain antibiotics or antifungals, your doctor or health care professional may want you to stop taking lovastatin for a short time. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Does Mevacor have any possible side effects?
The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:
- allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
- dark urine
- fever
- joint pain
- muscle cramps, pain
- redness, blistering, skin peeling or loosening, including inside the mouth
- trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
- unusual weakness or feeling tired
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):
- constipation
- gas
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach pain
Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.
Where should I keep Mevacor?
Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.
This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 5 and 30 degrees C (41 and 86 degrees F). Protect it from the light. Keep container tightly closed. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.