Lovastatin

Other Names: Mevacor, Altoprev.

Commonly Prescribed For: Lovastatin is normally prescribed for decreasing the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances present in the blood. It can also be used to prevent coronary heart disease by retarding its progress.

How to Take it: Lovastatin is available in the form of a tablet, as a long-acting tablet to be taken via mouth. The long-acting tablet is normally taken once every day at bedtime. The regular tablet is normally taken once or two times every day with meals. Do not spilt or chew the extended-release tablet, instead swallow the tablet entirely.

How it Works: Lovastatin belongs to a group of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It retards the cholesterol production in the body.

Some Side Effects: Common side effects include constipation, blurred vision and headache. Some serious side effects include muscle pain, hoarseness, tenderness, inflammation of the throat, eyes or lower legs, lack of energy, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin, hives, nausea, rash, extreme tiredness, flu-like symptoms, heartburn, weakness, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, dizziness, gas, indigestion and unusual bleeding or bruising.