User:Mr. Ibrahem/Lovastatin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lovastatin, sold under the brand name Mevacor among others, is a statin medication, to treat high blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.[2] Its use is recommended together with lifestyle changes.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2]
Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Mevacor, Altocor, others |
Other names | Monacolin K, Mevinolin |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a688006 |
License data |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Statin |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | <5%[1] |
Protein binding | >98%[1] |
Metabolism | Hepatic (CYP3A and CYP2C8 substrate)[1] |
Elimination half-life | 2–5 hours[1] |
Excretion | Faeces (83%), urine (10%)[1] |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C24H36O5 |
Molar mass | 404.547 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Common side effects include diarrhea, constipation, headache, muscles pains, rash, and trouble sleeping.[2] Serious side effects may include liver problems, muscle breakdown, and kidney failure.[2] Use during pregnancy may harm the baby and use during breastfeeding is not recommended.[3] It works by decreasing the livers ability to produce cholesterol by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.[2]
Lovastatin was patented in 1979 and approved for medical use in 1987.[4] It is available as a generic medication.[2] In the United States the wholesale cost is about 0.05 USD per dose.[5] In 2017, it was the 84th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than nine million prescriptions.[6][7] Lovastatin was not available in the United Kingdom as of 2009.[8]