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Mevacor Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Lovastatin

LOVASTATIN (Mevacor®) is used to reduce the amount of cholesterol and it helps to blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. Lovastatin can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. This medication is prescribed for those patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. Lovastatin is also used together with lifestyle changes such as includes diet, weight-loss, exercise to reduce the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood. Lovastatin is in a class of medications known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body.

Mevacor Dosage

• The usual starting dose is 20 milligrams once a day, you should be taken this medication with the evening meal.
• Your doctor may also start your dosage at 10 milligrams a day if you need only a small reduction in cholesterol.
• The maximum recommended dose is 80 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose or you can divide dosage into smaller doses, as determined by your doctor.

Uses of Mevacor

• Mevacor is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats in the blood.
• Lovastatin is used to reduces low-density lipoprotein. Because Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
• Lovastatin may also be used for other conditions those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Mevacor

If you are taking Mevacor, then discuss the side effects of Mevacor with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because it may cause serious effects and only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Mevacor. Side effects of Mevacor may include:

• weakness
• altered sense of taste
• muscle weakness with rash
• blurred vision
• rash
• constipation
• itching
• nausea
• diarrhea
• muscle pain
• indigestion
• dizziness
• headache
• muscle cramps
• heartburn

Warnings and precautions before taking Mevacor:

• If you are allergic to lovastatin or any other medications, then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• If you have liver disease, tell your doctor and your doctor will probably tell you not to take lovastatin.
• If you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor and pharmacist. If you become pregnant while taking lovastatin, stop taking lovastatin and call your doctor immediately. Because Lovastatin may harm the fetus.
• If you are having surgery such as including dental surgery, then tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lovastatin.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Mevacor, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Mevacor. It may also cause muscle pain and potential kidney damage when combined with other drugs. So first consult to your doctor before combining Mevacor medicine with the following drugs.

• Verapamil (Calan)
• Itraconazole (Sporanox)
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• Crixivan, Fortovase, Invirase, Norvir, and Viracept
• Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
• Protease inhibitors (a type of drug for HIV) such as Agenerase
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Nicotinic acid or niacin (Niaspan)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Erythromycin (E.E.S., PCE, others)
• Fenofibrate (Tricor)
• Fluconazole (DiFlucan)
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Overdose

After taking Mevacor, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Mevacor overdose may includes severe vomiting.