Get Informed: Mevacor
Active Ingredient(s)
Lovastatin
What does it do?
This product is used to lower cholesterol levels, with the aim of preventing or delaying progression of cardiovascular disease. It works by blocking an early step in the body's production of cholesterol.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 12:55 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Lovastatin
- Mevacor
- Altoprev
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 31 Aug 1987
- Est US Patients*
- 1,485,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Mevacor or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Mevacor Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Mevacor interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Mevacor used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 9,800 patients that use Mevacor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 96% | 
|
| Other | 17% |
|
How well does Mevacor work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,800 users taking Mevacor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 76%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Mevacor outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Mevacor.
Common Side Effects of Mevacor
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,800 users taking Mevacor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
13% of patients experience side-effects on Mevacor
4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Mevacor
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Fatigue
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Erectile Problems, Urinary Frequency, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Mevacor (Lovastatin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am 64 year old female. I was given Mevacor (Lovasatin) 10mg per day. I was told it was okay to continue taking niacin (1000mg per day). After a month I had such weakness in my right elbow I could not lift a glass of water. My right knee and calf muscles ached constantly. I could not get out of a chair without help and my mobility in general was compromised. I thought perhaps it was due to my exercise program until it got too severe to bare any longer. I figured it out in my sleep one night, threw away the Mevacor, and have taken a full year to totally recover. The local physician assistant was in disbelieve it could have been the medication.
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-18 10:09:51
Question/Comment:
I take metoprolol, lovastatin, nifedipine, lisinopril, Tramadol. My only concern is that when i wake up in the morning i am very dizzy till i sit up in bed for a few minutes before getting up, I have Fascioscapularhumeral Muscular Dystrophy and i believe my muscle weakness and my lack of energy may also be from my condition but i am not sure. What is your opinion on this. I am taking Tramadol for the pain in my back and legs daily. Thank You.
74 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-01 13:23:58
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Dizziness is a very common side effect of tramadol. In addition, the medications that you take for blood pressure, metoprolol, nifedipine, and lisinopril, can cause dizziness by themselves, so taking all three can increase the likelihood of dizziness Also, make sure you are monitoring your blood pressure regularly. It is possible that your blood pressure is too low in the morning, which could also cause dizziness. Your condition could definitely be contributing as well. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your dizziness symptoms and your medication list.
Posted: 2010-03-03 12:47:48
Question/Comment:
I am 59 and have been taking 40 mg of lovastatin over 3 yearsand I am expieriencing: muccle an joint pain,tenderness, wheezing, excessive dry skin(scalp,face,fingers), painful sores on face that wont heal. Headaches,pressure pain around eyes,nose,forhead. Bloody noses.nausea neck pain. wake up at nite and my skin is on fire. No energy, tired alot.cramps in hands, feet an legs. I am also taking Propranolol 80mg. alot of gas in my stomach. Are these symtoms from this medication?
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-08 05:19:34
iGuard Answer/Reply:
All that you are describing are most likely from the two medications. Lovastatin can cause muscle pain, joint pain, and gas. Propranolol can cause nausea, dry skin and tiredness. The bloody nose can be from dryness in the nasal passages. Your muscle problems can be an early sign of more serious problems, so please report this side effect to your doctor as soon as possible. Also let your doctor know about your other symptoms so they can be evaluated and your doctor can determine the cause.
Posted: 2010-01-10 19:57:28
Question/Comment:
I have been on this medication now for about 9 months on a regular basis. I have in the last 31/2 months developed muscle problems totally on one side of my back and cannot get rid of the pain. I cannot sit straight up in a chair the muscles on the left side of my body just l;ocks up and it takes me up to about 3-5 minutes to get up enough strength to walk normally. I have taken Lipitor & Crestor as well, and this sort of problem is happening with all of the medications for high Chloestorol/Triglycerides as well the Dr says I must take a medication for the 2 problems most likely for the rest of my life so he is having me to take Lovastaten 20 mgs now but probably will at some point increase it.. I hurt in my muscles all of the time and have since the Dr put me on medications for Chlosterol & Triglycerides back in 1997. I have tried all of the ones he has reccomended and the Lovastatin has caused the least amount of problems for me so far but I do worry about all of the muscle pain I am going thru daily hardly any thing will stop the pain at all. 65 year old Female.
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-27 14:49:34
Question/Comment:
my husband starting taking this med a year ago at 20mg. the doc felt he would do better at 40mg. He has joint and muscle pain everywere, his hands hurt and cramp up, his shoulders,elbows, wrists, i have noticed the other night around his ankle bones he is very swollen and in pain..Our pharmasist told us to STOP the drug and get a protein check to see if the muscles are ok. This drug is known for messing them up and it can be irreversable....Good luck everyone..I'll let you all know what happens..
Tracy
54 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-21 08:32:21
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Patient Comments about
Mevacor