Lovastatin
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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Mevacor |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a688006 |
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| Routes of administration |
Oral |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | <5% |
| Protein binding | >98% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic (CYP3A and CYP2C8 substrate) |
| Biological half-life | 2–5 hours |
| Excretion | Faeces (83%), urine (10%) |
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| Synonyms | Monacolin K, Mevinolin |
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| ChEMBL | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.115.931 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C24H36O5 |
| Molar mass | 404.54 g/mol |
| 3D model (Jmol) | |
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Lovastatin (Merck's Mevacor) is a statin drug(Hypolipidemic Agent), used for lowering cholesterol in those with hypercholesterolemia to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Lovastatin is a naturally occurring compound found in food such as oyster mushrooms,red yeast rice, and Pu-erh.
The primary uses of lovastatin is for the treatment of dyslipidemia and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is recommended to be used only after other measures, such as diet, exercise, and weight reduction, have not improved cholesterol levels.
Lovastatin is usually well tolerated, with the most common side effects being, in approximately descending order of frequency: creatine phosphokinase elevation, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, muscle aches or pains, nausea, indigestion, weakness, blurred vision, rash, dizziness and muscle cramps. As with all statin drugs, it can rarely cause myopathy, hepatotoxicity (liver damage), dermatomyositis or rhabdomyolysis. This can be life-threatening if not recognised and treated in time, so any unexplained muscle pain or weakness whilst on lovastatin should be promptly mentioned to the prescribing doctor. Other uncommon side effects that should be promptly mentioned to either the prescribing doctor or an emergency medical service include:
These less serious side effects should still be reported if they persist or increase in severity:
Contraindications, conditions that warrant withholding treatment with lovastatin, include pregnancy, breast feeding, and liver disease. Lovastatin is contraindicated during pregnancy (Pregnancy Category X); it may cause birth defects such as skeletal deformities or learning disabilities. Due to its potential to disrupt infant lipid metabolism, lovastatin should not be taken while breastfeeding. Patients with liver disease should not take lovastatin.
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Wikipedia