Drug Information

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Altocor - Lovastatin Extended Release - Oral Brand Drug

General Information

See also the How To Use section.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur.

Store at room temperature between 68 degrees F and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Take this medication by mouth usually once daily at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor.
This drug may be taken with or without food.
Swallow this drug whole.
Do not chew, crush or break the medication; this can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines.
Many of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions section might increase the chances of muscle injury when used with lovastatin.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 1 quart a day) while being treated with this medication, unless specifically directed otherwise.
Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take lovastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after these medications.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
Remember to use it at the same time each day.
It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
Most people with high cholesterol do not feel sick.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (for example, blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.
For best results, this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight.
Also to help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes, check your blood pressure regularly, seek medical treatment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Lovastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin".
It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood.
In general, this drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (for example, diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight).
Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Constipation or stomach pain may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
This drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis).
Stop taking this drug and tell your doctor immediately if you develop.