Health Library

Lovastatin (By mouth)

Lovastatin (loe-va-STAT-in)

Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. May reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel problems. This is a statin medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Altoprev, Mevacor

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Take the tablet with food. Take the extended-release tablet without food.
• Take the medicine in the evening, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, cyclosporine, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, posaconazole, telaprevir, telithromycin, voriconazole, or certain medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.
• Some medicines can affect how lovastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Amiodarone, cimetidine, colchicine, danazol, diltiazem, dronedarone, niacin (vitamin B3), ranolazine, spironolactone, verapamil
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine to treat fungus infections (including fluconazole, voriconazole)
  • Other medicine for lowering cholesterol (including fenofibrate)
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, or a history of stroke or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you drink alcohol regularly.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Severe muscle problems (including myopathy, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy), especially when used with other medicines
  • Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle weakness) that could lead to kidney damage
  • Liver problems
• Tell your doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery or medical tests, a major injury, or other serious health problems.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Unusual tiredness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024