From the Guidelines
Lovastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels.
Key Characteristics
- It is a type of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, which works by inhibiting the enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver 1.
- Lovastatin is typically administered in doses of 20-80mg daily for a duration of several months to years 1.
- It is used to lower LDL cholesterol levels, with an average reduction of 17-27% at doses of 10-40mg daily 1.
- Lovastatin may also have anti-inflammatory and plaque stabilization effects, in addition to its lipid-lowering properties 1.
Clinical Use
- Lovastatin is approved for use in adults and children aged 10-17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or other forms of hyperlipidemia 1.
- It is often used in combination with diet and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 1.
- The medication is generally well-tolerated, but may cause side effects such as raised hepatic enzymes, raised creatine kinase, and myopathy 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering agent isolated from a strain of Aspergillus terreus. The empirical formula of lovastatin is C24H36O5 and its molecular weight is 404. 55. Lovastatin is a white, nonhygroscopic crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile.
Lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering agent that is isolated from a strain of Aspergillus terreus. It is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Lovastatin is supplied as tablets for oral administration, with a molecular weight of 404.55 and an empirical formula of C24H36O5 2.
From the Research
Definition of Lovastatin
Related Information
- The provided studies discuss various topics such as medication errors, antihypertensive medication reduction, proton pump inhibitors, long-term medication use in children, and medication adherence measures in older Americans
- None of the studies mention Lovastatin specifically