You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lovastatin, or to similar medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®), cerivastatin (Baycol®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), pravastatin (Pravachol®), or simvastatin (Zocor®). You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver disease.
Uses:
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. Take the medicine in the evening, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
You may take the medicine with or without food. Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood thinners (Coumadin®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), erythromycin, gemfibrozil (Lopid®), nefazodone (Serzone®), niacin, verapamil (Calan®, Covera®, Isoptin®), medicine to treat fungal infections (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®), or medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (Agenerase®, Crixivan®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Sustiva®, Viracept®).
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Warnings:
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, or a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor. You may need a special diet to keep your cholesterol levels from going up after you stop using the medicine.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps
Red-purple rash on your nose or cheeks, swelling around your eyes
