lovastatin (cont.)
Lovastatin may increase the effect of warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner.
Patients taking lovastatin and warfarin (Coumadin) should be monitored carefully for toxic
effects of warfarin.
PREGNANCY: Pregnant women should not use lovastatin because the developing
fetus requires cholesterol for development, and lovastatin reduces the
production of cholesterol. Lovastatin should only be administered to women of
child bearing age if they are not likely to become pregnant.
NURSING MOTHERS: Because of the risk of adverse effects to the developing
infant, lovastatin should not be administered to
nursing mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of lovastatin are headache,
nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and
abnormal liver
tests. Hypersensitivity reactions have also been reported. The most serious
potential side effects are liver damage and muscle inflammation or breakdown.
Lovastatin is a statin. Therefore it shares side effects, such as liver and
muscle damage associated with all statins. Serious liver damage caused by
statins is rare. More often, statins cause abnormalities of liver tests, and,
therefore, periodic measurement of liver tests in the blood is recommended
during treatment with all statins. Abnormal tests usually return to normal even
if a statin is continued, but if the abnormal test value is greater than three
times the upper limit of normal, the statin usually is stopped. Liver tests
should be measured before lovastatin is started, at 6 and 12 weeks after
initiation of therapy, with an increase in dose, and periodically thereafter or
if there is a medical concern about liver damage.
Inflammation of the muscles caused by statins can lead to a serious breakdown
of muscle cells called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis causes the release of
muscle protein (myoglobin) into the blood. Myoglobin can cause kidney failure
and even death. When used alone, statins cause rhabdomyolysis in less than one
percent of patients. To prevent the development of rhabdomyolysis, patients
taking lovastatin should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they
develop unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or muscle tenderness.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 2/5/2009
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Statins - Read about statins, cholesterol lowering medications like Levacor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lipitor, Crestor, and more. Side effects, drug interactions, and patient information is also provided.
- Liver Blood Tests - Learn about liver blood tests used to detect liver damage disease such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Tylenol liver damage, and more. This includes measuring the aminotransferases enzymes (AST and ALT levels)
- Heart Attack - Overview on heart attack (myocardial infarction) and heart attack symptoms including jaw pain, headache, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, sweating, and more.
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