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In this Article

• What is lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• What are the possible side effects of lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• How should I take lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Mevacor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Mevacor)?
• What should I avoid while taking lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• What other drugs will affect lovastatin (Mevacor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lovastatin (Mevacor)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lovastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

Before taking lovastatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• diabetes;
• underactive thyroid;
• kidney disease; or
• a muscle disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take lovastatin.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use lovastatin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

It is not known whether lovastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take lovastatin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Lovastatin is not for use in children younger than 10 years of age.

How should I take lovastatin (Mevacor)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take lovastatin with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Lovastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. If you take lovastatin several times daily, take it with meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

Lovastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need to take lovastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Store lovastatin at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.