The problem with high blood cholesterol worries many people. This is due to the fact that this condition can lead to malfunctions of the heart and the vascular system as a whole. To eliminate hyperlipoproteinemia, it is necessary not only to eat right, but also to take certain drugs.
The most effective way to lower blood cholesterol is considered to be the drug "Lovastatin." Instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues and contraindications of this medication will be presented below. You will also learn about what experts say about him and what kind of feedback consumers leave.
Form, composition, packaging and description of the medicinal product
The medicine “Lovastatin”, the instructions for use of which are packaged in a cardboard box, are sold in the form of white and round tablets. The active ingredient in this medication is lovastatin. As for auxiliary components, they include lactose monohydrate, starch, cellulose, ascorbic acid, butyl hydroxyanisole, citric acid and magnesium stearate.
The medicine is issued in cell blisters and packs of cardboard, respectively.
The mechanism of action of the drug
What is the principle of action of the drug "Lovastatin"? Instructions for use, abstract report that the LP receptors of the liver regulate the content of lipoproteins in the blood. They are derived from it through interaction with the mentioned receptors. As a result, cholesterol is synthesized in the liver cells.
The principle of action of the drug in question is explained by the suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. This is an enzyme with the participation of which the synthesis of cholesterol is carried out.
Reducing the formation of cholesterol entails a compensatory increase in the number of LP receptors on hepatocytes. As a result of this effect, the process of removal of low density lipoproteins from the blood is accelerated, and the total cholesterol, low cholesterol and intermediate density cholesterol are also reduced.
Features of the drug
What other properties do Lovastatin tablets have? Instructions for use (price, reviews are presented at the end of the article) indicate that this tool is able to reduce the content of apolipoprotein B and triglycerides, as well as slightly increase the level of high density lipoproteins.
The therapeutic effect after taking the medication appears after two weeks, and the maximum - after about a month and a half. However, it persists for six weeks after discontinuation of the drug.
The effectiveness of the drug with prolonged use does not decrease. It should also be noted that it is obtained from biocultures of Aspergillus terreus and Monascus ruber.
Kinetic properties
How long does Lovastatin take? Instructions for use (the price of the drug is not very high) claims that the absorption of this drug from the digestive tract occurs slowly. Moreover, it reduces the intake of tablets on an empty stomach.
The bioavailability of this drug is very low (approximately 30% of the dose taken). After about four hours, the highest concentration of the drug in the blood is achieved. After another day, it decreases and amounts to about 10% of the maximum.
The drug in question is 95% bound to plasma proteins. The clearance of the drug with a single dose is observed on the 3rd day.
What is Lovastatin Medication? Instructions for use reports that this is a prodrug. After the first passage through the liver, it takes an active form.
The drug is metabolized through isoenzymes. Its half-life is 180 minutes. The active element of the drug, as well as its metabolites, are excreted by the kidneys and through the intestines.
Indications for taking pills
In the presence of what conditions are the patients prescribed Lovastatin tablets? Instructions for use (description, composition of the drug were presented at the very beginning of the article) reports that this drug is very effective in primary hypercholesterolemia (type IIb and type IIa lipolipoproteinemia) with a high LDL content (if diet therapy in people with an increased risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis was ineffective) , as well as with combined hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.
It should be noted that the drug in question is often prescribed for atherosclerosis.
Contraindications for taking prodrugs
In what cases is the patient not recommended to use Lovastatin tablets? Instructions for use (treatment with this drug should be prescribed only by a doctor) reports that this drug is contraindicated in case of active liver diseases, pregnancy or its likelihood, increased activity of transaminases of unclear origin, as well as during breastfeeding, in severe condition of the patient (general) and increased sensitivity to lovastatin.
Also, the medication in question is not prescribed at a minor age, with myopathy and cholestasis.
It is forbidden to combine drug intake with alcohol. With special care, it is prescribed to patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.
The drug "Lovastatin": instructions for use
Price, analogues of this tool will be considered a little further.
According to the attached instructions, Lovastatin tablets must be taken orally during dinner once a day.
In such a pathological condition as hyperlipidemia, the drug is prescribed in an amount of 10-80 mg once (the dose depends on the severity of the disease).
Treatment with the drug in question begins with small doses. Then it is gradually increased. The highest daily dosage of the drug, equal to 80 mg, can be taken once or twice a day (in the morning and before bedtime). The selection of a therapeutic dose is carried out with an interval of one month.
How is Lovastatin prescribed for coronary atherosclerosis? Instructions for use report that with such a disease, the drug is prescribed in a dose of 20-40 mg. If the specified amount of the drug was ineffective, then it is increased to 60-80 mg.
When the drug is combined with fibrates or nicotinic acid, its dosage should not be higher than 20 mg per day.
Adverse Events
Does the Lovastatin medication cause side effects? Instructions for use indicate the following adverse events:
- cataracts, headaches;
- atrophy of the optic nerve, dizziness;
- insomnia, sleep disorders, anxiety, general weakness, paresthesia;
- muscle cramps, myalgia, myositis
- in people taking nicotinic acid, Cyclosporin or Gemfibrozil, the risk of rhabdomyolysis increases;
- thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia;
- heartburn, biliary cholestasis, nausea, hepatitis, flatulence, taste perversion, constipation, cholestatic jaundice, diarrhea;
- increased activity of creatine phosphokinase and liver transaminases ;
- an increase in bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase ;
- Quincke's edema, rash, itching, arthralgia, urticaria;
- alopecia and decreased potency.
Drug overdose
With the accidental administration of elevated doses of the drug, specific symptoms are not observed in the patient.
When observing pathological conditions, the victim is washed with a stomach and prescribed intake of sorbents. Also, the patient is monitored for vital functions, liver function and creatine phosphokinase activity.
Drug interaction
The simultaneous use of a large amount of grapefruit juice, as well as Gemfibrozil and Fenofibrat, contributes to a high risk of developing myopathies.
Taking a drug with nicotinic acid, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Cyclosporin, antifungal medications (Itraconazole, Ketoconazole), Nefazodone and Ritonavir leads to an increase in the concentration of the drug in the blood, as well as muscle destruction tissue and the risk of developing myopathy.
Co-administration of Lovastatin with Warfarin increases the risk of bleeding.
The drug "Colestyramine" reduces the bioavailability of the drug in question. Therefore, the time interval between their intake should be at least 2-4 hours.
Special recommendations
With special care, the drug "Lovastatin" is prescribed to people with a history of liver disease. The same goes for chronic alcoholism.
It should also be noted that this tool is canceled in the case of a persistent increase in the content of hepatic transaminases or CPK.
The cost of the drug and its analogues
Currently, it is not possible to purchase the medication in pharmacies in Moscow and other cities of Russia. If necessary, it can be ordered through the World Wide Web. Prices in online pharmacies vary widely. This drug can be purchased in the range of 300-600 rubles.
If necessary, then the drug in question can be replaced with such drugs as Apextatin, Fluvastatin, Cardiostatin, Iinvastin, Vero-Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Holetar, Lovasterol, Mevacor , Mevinacor, Lovacor.
Drug Reviews
Now you know what pills like Lovastatin are. Instructions, composition, use, analogues of this medication were described in this article.
According to experts, lipid-lowering drugs are used in complex treatment, as well as for the prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications.
The principle of action of this medication is to reduce the content of atherogenic lipoproteins in the blood
According to doctors, at present, quite a lot of experience has been gained in the clinical use of Lovastatin. He is one of the safest medicines. This drug has fairly good tolerance during prolonged therapy.
Complaints of side effects are very rare in patient reviews. Sometimes this medicine can cause flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, insomnia, and muscle pain. Typically, such reactions disappear two weeks after the start of therapy or due to a dose reduction.