HMG-CoA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS

Brand & Generic Names

Epistatin	Pravachol
Eptastatin	PRAVASTATIN
LOVASTATIN	SIMVASTATIN
Mevacor	Synvinolin
Mevinolin	Zocor

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antihyperlipidemic

Uses

Lowers blood cholesterol levels caused by low-density cholesterol (LDL) in persons who haven't improved by exercising, dieting or using other measures.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet: Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
According to directions on prescription.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Inhibits an enzyme in the liver.

Time lapse before drug works:
Within 2 weeks.

Don't take with:
A high-fat diet.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose not expected to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Aching muscles, fever, blurred vision.
• Constipation, nausea, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, skin rash, headache.

Rare:

• Muscle pain.
• Impotence (Lovastatin only).
• Insomnia (Lovastatin only).

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to lovastatin.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you take immunosuppressive drugs, particularly following a heart transplant.
• If you have low blood pressure.
• If you have hormone abnormalities.
• If you have an active infection.
• If you have active liver disease.
• If you have a seizure disorder.
• If you have had a recent major accident.

Over age 60:
Likely to be more sensitive to drug.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems, but avoid if possible or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function, serum cholesterol, eyes.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Request liver function tests and eye examinations before beginning this medicine and repeat every 2 to 6 months.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Cyclosporine or other	Increased risk of heart and kidney
drugs to suppress the	damage.
Erythromycin	Increased risk of heart and kidney
	damage.
Gemfibrozil	Increased risk of heart and kidney
	damage and muscle inflammation.
Niacin	Increased risk of heart and kidney
	damage.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.