Mevacor

Product Information
Mevacor is the brand name for the generic drug Lovastatin. Mevacor (Lovastatin) is the first cholesterol-lowering drug to be approved by the FDA. It works by reducing the LDL 'bad' cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and raising the HDL 'good' cholesterol level. It functions as an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) which prevents the production of cholesterol by the liver.

Mevacor is proven to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease events, such as heart attack or angina (chest pain). Besides lowering LDL cholesterol levels, it retards progression and may even reverse coronary artery disease. Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Mevacor should be used in conjunction to proper diet and is recommended only after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol.

Drug Class - Statins

Brand Names - Mevacor, Altocor

How to Use

• Mevacor should be taken orally once daily or as directed by the doctor.
• Use this medication regularly in order to get the maximum benefit and preferably use it at the same time each day.
• Mevacor may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of the drug comes into effect.
• Mevacor is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older).
• Use the medicine regularly once started and do not stop without consulting your doctor.

Side Effects
The Initial Adjustment: As your body adjusts to the medication, you may have minor side effects for first few days like

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Insomnia

Consult a Doctor
Consult your doctor if these effects persist or you experience abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Moreover, notify your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness, tenderness, numbness; brown or dark urine; nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Rare cases of muscle inflammation (myositis) and breakdown have been reported with Mevacor.

Drug Interaction

• Use Mevacor only after judging all possibilities of drug interaction.
• Consult your doctor and inform about all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use.
• Severe muscle breakdown and kidney failure have been reported when Mevacor is used together with gemfibrozil (Lopid).
• There is also risk of muscle breakdown by drug interaction when Mevacor is used along with drugs such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune), erythromycin and nicotinic acid.
• It is recommendable that you avoid taking alcohol when using Mevacor.
• Mevacor when used along with the following drugs can be cause fatal reactions:
  • Azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole)
  • Delavirdine
  • HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir)
  • Certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin)
  • Mibefradil, nefazodone, and telithromycin.

Precautions

• Mevacor should be prescribed and used by young girls only after they have had their menstrual periods for at least one year before starting this medication.
• Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) while being treated with this medication, unless specifically directed otherwise. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream.
• This drug is not recommended for use in children, only 10 years of age and older.
• Mevacor should be used only after consulting a doctor if you have liver disease.
• Inform your healthcare provider if you suffering from conditions like diabetes that is not well-controlled; kidney disease, under-active thyroid, chronic muscular disease and blood disorder.
• Mevacor has been included in the FDA category X for pregnancy, which means that it can be cause birth defects in an unborn child. So, the drug should not be used by expecting mothers or those planning pregnancy.
• Consult your doctor if you are a lactating mother; because it is not known whether the drug passes on to the milk.
• Inform your doctor if you drink alcoholic beverages.

Dosage

• The recommended starting dose for Mevacor is 20 milligrams once a day, taken with the evening meal. For minimal reduction in cholesterol, doctor may prescribe 10 milligrams a day to start with.
• In acute cases with high cholesterol levels, the maximum recommended dose is 80 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose or divided into smaller doses, of 40 mg each taken twice a day.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines
• Mevacor is strictly advised to be used only under medical supervision so as to prevent possible side-effects.
• The dosage for the drug varies from person to person depending upon the body metabolism.

Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of a Phentermine overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, unconsciousness panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat and seizures.

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is too late or almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. A dose taken too late in the day will cause insomnia. Never take a double dose of this medication.

Storage
Mevacor should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep away from the reach of children.

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement and not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be interpreted to indicate that use of the drug is safe, apt, or effectual for you. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before using this drug.