Lovastatin: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Lovastatin is used to help lower cholesterol, especially LDL and triglycerides, and increase HDL. The drug is used orally and in combination with the diet. However, the drug can also cause some side effects such as: Muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, fever...

1. Uses of Lovastatin

What does Lovastatin do? Lovastatin is used in combination with a reasonable diet with the goal of helping to lower cholesterol and fats such as LDL, triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol in the blood. Lovastatin belongs to a group of drugs called "statins." Lovastatin works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to following a sensible diet such as a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet, and other healthy lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include: Exercise, weight loss if you are overweight and stop smoking.

2. Indications for the use of Lovastatin

Lovastatin is to be taken by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with your evening meal. Some patients may be directed to take this medication twice daily.
The dose of Lovastatin will be based on your medical condition, how well it responds to your treatment, your age, and other medications that are being used in combination. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products.
When using this medicine, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medicine unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Grapefruit may increase the amount of lovastatin in your blood.
If you also use certain other medicines to help lower cholesterol such as: Bile acid binding such as cholestyramine or colestipol, then take lovastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking the Lovastatin medicines. These medicinal products may react with Lovastatin, preventing its complete absorption.
Use Lovastatin regularly to get the many health benefits from it. You should continue to use this medicine even if you feel well. Most people with cholesterol or triglycerides will feel more comfortable using the drug.
Furthermore, you need to follow your doctor's advice on diet as well as exercise. It can take up to 4 weeks for the medication to work.

3. Some side effects when using the drug Lovastatin

Your doctor has prescribed Lovastatin to you during your treatment because they have judged the benefit to you to be greater than the risk of side effects. Furthermore, many people who use this drug have no serious side effects.
However, while taking Lovastatin there is still a very small number of people taking Lovastatin that may experience mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor about how to fix them. And statins also very rarely cause or aggravate diabetes.
Lovastatin rarely causes muscle problems (can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you experience the following symptoms or, after you stop taking the medicine, still have the following symptoms: Muscle aches, pain, weakness, especially fever, or unusual tiredness. often, signs of kidney problems such as a change in the amount of urine.
Lovastatin also rarely causes liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor right away: Yellow eyes, B, dark-appearing urine, stomach pain, nausea, persistent vomiting
In some cases a severe allergic reaction should seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms: Rash, itching, swelling especially in areas such as: face, tongue, throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

4. Precautions while using Lovastatin

Before taking Lovastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of allergic reactions to any of its ingredients. Lovastatin medicinal products may contain inactive ingredients, which may be a risk factor for allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using Lovastain, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially: Liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you used during that time including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal products .
In addition, using Lovastatin you should limit alcoholic beverages. Because, daily alcohol use can increase the risk of liver problems, especially when combined with Lovastatin.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Lovastatin, especially muscle problems.
Lovastatin should not be used during pregnancy. Lovastatin can harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to avoid pregnancy while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant or you plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
To date, there is no evidence that Lovastatin passes into breast milk. As a result, there is a possible risk to the infant, you will not be recommended to breastfeed while using this medicine.

5. Interactions when using Lovastatin

Drug Interactions Lovastatin can change the way your medicine works or increase your risk of serious side effects that can affect your health. This article will not cover all possible drug interactions. You should keep a list of all the products you use including: prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal products, and you should share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. You must not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
Some other products or drugs that may interact with Lovastatin include: "blood thinners" such as: Warfarin, daptomycin, gemfibrozil.
Other medicines than Lovastatin may affect the removal of lovastatin from your body, which may affect how Lovastatin works. Examples include some azole antifungals such as: Itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, cobicistat, colchicine, cyclosporine, delavirdine, macrolide antibiotics such as: clarithromycin, erythromycin, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors such as: Lopnavir, ripnavir viral protease inhibitors such as: Boceprevir, telaprevir, telithromycin,...
You should not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking lovastatin because those products may also contain lovastatin. Using Lovastatin and red rice fermentable products together may increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

6. Some notes while using Lovastatin for the treatment process

Overdose
In case you have overdosed and have serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, you must immediately call an emergency doctor for timely treatment.
Do not share Lovastatin with other medicines.
Laboratory or medical tests such as: Blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for possible side effects of using the medicine. .
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Lovastatin, take your Lovastatin as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. And you should not take a double dose if you forget to take a pill.
Storage
Storage Lovastatin should be applied at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Storage temperature ranges vary by different manufacturers, so consult your pharmacist for more information. Do not store in the bathroom. You should make sure to keep Lovastatin out of the reach of children and pets.
You do not throw medicine down the toilet or down the drain unless you are instructed to do so. Dispose of the Lovastatin medicinal product appropriately when it has expired or is no longer needed.

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Reference source: w ebmd.com