LOVASTATIN

Indications & Dose:

Primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial hypercholesterolemia),mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson types IIa and IIb), and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events

• BY MOUTH

Adult

Initially 20 mg / day as a single dose with evening meal. Adjustment of dosage if required should be made at intervals of not less than 4 weeks to a max.40 mg daily in a single or divided doses with morning & evening meals. Can be increased upto 80mg/day if required.

Children

Not recommended

Contraindications:

Active liver disease,pregnancy and breast feeding. Not recommended

Side Effects:

CNS: Dizziness, headache, insomnia

EENT: Blurred vision, dysgeusia, lens opacities

GI: Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea,dyspepsia, flatus, heartburn, hepatotoxicity,increased transaminases, nausea

MS:  Muscle  cramps,  myalgia,  myositis,rhabdomyolysis

SKIN: Pruritus, rash

Cautions:

Precautions:

Past liver disease, alcoholics,severe acute infections, trauma, hypotension,uncontrolled seizure disorders, severe metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalances

Interaction:

Drugs

 Cholestyramine, colestipol: Decreased bioBrands Available with Cost of lovastatin possible, effect likely overcome by additive lipid-lowering effects of concurrent therapy

Clarithromycin, cyclosporine, danazol, erythromycin,niacin: Severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis

Clofibrate, gemibrozil, nefazodone: Severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis with combination,especially at high doses

Cyclosporne: Concomitant administration increases risk of severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis

Fluconazole, itraconazole: Large increases in lovastatin concentration,rhabdomyolysis possible

Isradipine: Reduction in lovastatin concentration

Niacin: Concomitant administration increases risk of severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis

Pectin: Reduced cholesterol-lowering effect of lovastatin

Wafarin: Increased prothrombin times and bleeding reported with concomitant use

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: