Altoprev
Altoprev (lovastatin) is a statin that's used to lower cholesterol in certain adults to help lower the risk for heart attack or stroke. It lowers both your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (a type of fat) levels. It can also raise your "good" cholesterol (HDL). Altoprev (lovastatin) is a low-to-moderate intensity statin that's taken once per day. But it should be taken in addition to a heart-healthy diet and a regular exercise routine for the medication to work as best as possible. Side effects include headache and joint pain.
What is Altoprev (lovastatin)?
What is Altoprev (lovastatin) used for?
- Lower "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels in adults
- Prevention of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack) in adults at risk for heart disease
How Altoprev (lovastatin) works
Altoprev (lovastatin) is a statin. It works by blocking a protein in your liver that makes cholesterol. This lowers the amount of "bad" cholesterol (called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in your blood. This medication might also help raise your "good" cholesterol (called high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) levels and lower your triglyceride levels. As a result, Altoprev (lovastatin) helps lower the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Drug facts
Side effects of Altoprev (lovastatin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Infection (11%)
- Headache (7%)
- Back pain (5%)
- Joint pain (5%)
- Flu-like symptoms (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Muscle pain
- Muscle tenderness
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- Sinus infection
Altoprev (lovastatin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness
- Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, swelling of your stomach, dark or brown urine, confusion
More on Altoprev (lovastatin) side effects
The following Altoprev (lovastatin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
chest tightness
dark urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with moving
frequent urge to urinate
headache
joint pain or swelling
lower back or side pain
muscle ache, cramp, spasm, stiffness, pain, tenderness, or weakness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
stuffy or runny nose
swollen joints
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
chills
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
general tiredness and weakness
indigestion
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Belching
bloated or full feeling
blurred vision
difficulty having a bowel movement
dizziness
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
lack or loss of strength
passing gas
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Incidence not known
Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in taste
changes to the hair or nails
confusion
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
discoloration or dryness of the skin or mucous membrane
false sense of well-being
fear or nervousness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
forgetfulness
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of libido
memory loss
mood swings
partial or slight paralysis of the face
personality changes
sensation of spinning
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
trouble sleeping
unsteadiness or awkwardness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
white area over the eye
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Altoprev (lovastatin)
Pros
- Taken once daily
- Helps lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats) and improve "good" cholesterol (HDL) levels
- Lowers the risk of problems caused by high cholesterol, like heart attack or stroke, in people with certain conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
Cons
- Doesn't replace having a balanced diet and getting regular exercise to help lower cholesterol levels
- Not safe if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
- Available as a brand-name only
Pharmacist tips for Altoprev (lovastatin)
- Mark your calendar for any blood work you need to do while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). Your provider will order blood tests every so often to check your cholesterol levels and liver function. Your provider might change your dose based on your lab results.
- Take Altoprev (lovastatin) in the evening to get the most benefit from the medication. Talk to your provider if this isn't a convenient time for you to see whether you can take it at another time of day. Be sure to be consistent and take your doses about every 24 hours apart.
- Swallow the Altoprev (lovastatin) tablets whole. Don't crush, chew, or split the tablets. Talk to your provider if you're having trouble swallowing the tablets.
- Take Altoprev (lovastatin) with or without food. Keep in mind that food can lower the amount of medication that's absorbed into your body, so be consistent with how you take it.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). Grapefruit can raise the amount of the medication in your body, which raises your risk of side effects.
- Ask your provider if it's safe to eat red yeast rice while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). Eating this type of rice during treatment can raise your risk for side effects because it has a chemical that's similar to lovastatin in it.
- Make sure you follow a healthy and balanced diet that's low in fat and regularly exercise while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). This will help you get the most out of the medication. Talk with your provider if you have questions about meal-planning and types of exercise to do.
- Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you're taking. Many medications can interact with Altoprev (lovastatin), such as amiodarone (Pacerone), niacin, and warfarin (Coumadin). Some drug interactions can either make the cholesterol medication work less well or put you at risk for side effects, like muscle damage.
- Tell your provider right away if you become pregnant, are thinking of becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). You should avoid taking this medication because it can cause harm to babies.
Common questions about Altoprev (lovastatin)
The most serious side effect of Altoprev (lovastatin) is a rare but life-threatening muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis. This happens when parts of your muscle start to break down and get into your bloodstream. If this problem isn't treated in time, it can damage your kidneys. Get medical attention right away if you notice severe muscle pain, muscle tenderness or weakness, dark-colored urine, especially if you also feel tired or unwell.
Yes, muscle aches are possible, but they're not too common. In clinical studies, only 3% of people who took Altoprev (lovastatin) reported muscle pain. Keep in mind that muscle aches can happen at any time during treatment with Altoprev (lovastatin). Talk to your provider if your muscle pain is too bothersome. Your provider can suggest some options, such as lowering your dose or change how often you take Altoprev (lovastatin) (e.g., every other day instead of daily). Or your provider might choose to switch you to a different statin; you might not get muscle pain from a different statin just because you had muscle pain from Altoprev (lovastatin).
Weight gain wasn't a side effect that people who took Altoprev (lovastatin) reported during clinical studies. But a large 2014 study found that people who took statins long-term (about 10 years) had gained weight possibly due to changes in their diet. Another study suggests that some statins might raise hunger by affecting certain hormone levels in the body, but the results aren't consistent enough to know for sure. Note that cholesterol medications work well only when you also follow lifestyle recommendations (e.g., a cholesterol-friendly diet, regular exercise). Speak with your provider if you notice changes in your eating habits and weight as you continue to take Altoprev (lovastatin) for cholesterol.
No, constipation isn't a typical side effect of statins like Altoprev (lovastatin). Talk to your provider if you have bothersome constipation. Your provider can help determine a potential cause for your constipation and recommend ways to manage this problem, such as over-the-counter laxatives and eating more fiber-rich foods.
No, Altoprev (lovastatin) isn't a blood thinner and it doesn't raise your risk for bleeding. Altoprev (lovastatin) is a statin that helps lower your cholesterol levels. Some people might need to take Altoprev (lovastatin) and a blood thinner together in certain situations. For example, a statin and a blood thinner like aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix) are commonly prescribed together after a heart attack or stroke. The statin helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels, and the blood thinner helps stop blood clots from forming.
No, you shouldn't crush or chew Altoprev (lovastatin) tablets. Talk to your provider if you're having trouble swallowing the tablets so that you can switch to a different cholesterol medication.
No. Altoprev (lovastatin) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are both statins that are taken once daily and share many other similarities, but they're two different medications. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a moderate-to-high intensity statin, whereas Altoprev (lovastatin) is considered a low-to-moderate intensity statin. This means that rosuvastatin (Crestor) can lower cholesterol levels more than Altoprev (lovastatin). Your provider will discuss with you about which statin best fits your needs. This is typically based on how much your cholesterol levels need to be lowered, in addition to some other factors.
It's best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin). Drinking alcohol during treatment with Altoprev (lovastatin) can raise your risk of serious liver problems. Make sure to avoid alcohol if you need to take Altoprev (lovastatin) and have liver problems. Speak with your provider about your drinking habits and what's a safe amount of alcohol you can drink while you're taking this medication.
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Risks and warnings for Altoprev (lovastatin)
Altoprev (lovastatin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe muscle pain and damage
- Risk factors: Age 65 years and older | Higher dose of Altoprev (lovastatin) | Kidney problems | Taking other medications that can also cause muscle problems or interact with Altoprev (lovastatin)
Altoprev (lovastatin) can cause a rare, but serious and life-threatening muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis. If severe, this problem can lead to kidney injury. Your risk for rhabdomyolysis is higher if you take other medications that can either raise the levels of Altoprev (lovastatin) in your body or also cause muscle damage. Stop Altoprev (lovastatin) and get medical attention right away if you notice any symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, such as severe muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; dark-colored urine; and tiredness.
In some rare cases, statins like Altoprev (lovastatin) can cause immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune condition that causes muscle inflammation and muscle weakness. This muscle problem might continue even if you stop taking the statin. If you develop IMNM, you'll need to stop the statin and you might need to take additional medications to dampen down your immune system.
Liver problems
- Risk factors: History of liver problems | Drinking large amounts of alcohol
Some people who took Altoprev (lovastatin) had changes to the liver enzyme levels in their blood, which can sometimes suggest liver damage. Rarely, serious liver problems leading to liver failure have happened.
You might need to get blood tests to check your liver health before and during treatment to make sure your liver is working properly. Get medical attention right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; swelling of your stomach; stomach pain; nausea; vomiting; stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools); or dark or brown urine. You might need to stop using the medication to prevent further liver damage.
Higher blood sugar levels
- Risk factors: High blood sugar
Some research suggests that statins like Altoprev (lovastatin) might raise blood sugar levels, which can lead to higher hemoglobin A1C levels. But healthcare providers believe that the benefits of statins outweigh this risk. Tell your provider if you have diabetes or high blood sugar before you start Altoprev (lovastatin). You might need to check your blood sugar more often. Also, follow a healthy, balanced diet and do regular exercise while you're taking Altoprev (lovastatin).
Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Altoprev (lovastatin) isn't recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding for most people. This medication can possibly cause harm to unborn and breastfed babies. Talk to your provider about the safest options for you if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
More on Altoprev (lovastatin) warnings
Altoprev (lovastatin) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mg | 90 tablets | $3,406.43 | $37.85 |
| 40mg | 30 tablets | $1,129.82 | $37.66 |
| 60mg | 90 tablets | $3,406.43 | $37.85 |
Typical dosage for Altoprev (lovastatin)
The typical dose ranges from 20 mg to 60 mg by mouth once a day at bedtime.
During treatment, your provider might change your dose depending on your cholesterol levels, your kidney function, any side effects you have, and the other medications you're taking (if they interact with Altoprev (lovastatin)).
More on Altoprev (lovastatin) dosage
Interactions between Altoprev (lovastatin) and other drugs
More on Altoprev (lovastatin) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amprenavir
- Atazanavir
- Boceprevir
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Darunavir
- Erythromycin
- Fosamprenavir
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lopinavir
- Mibefradil
- Mifepristone
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Posaconazole
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tipranavir
- Voriconazole
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Bezafibrate
- Ceritinib
- Ciprofibrate
- Clofibrate
- Colchicine
- Conivaptan
- Cyclosporine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dalfopristin
- Danazol
- Daptomycin
- Delavirdine
- Diltiazem
- Dronedarone
- Duvelisib
- Fenofibrate
- Fenofibric Acid
- Fluconazole
- Fosnetupitant
- Gemfibrozil
- Glecaprevir
- Ivosidenib
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Letermovir
- Lomitapide
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Netupitant
- Niacin
- Pibrentasvir
- Quinupristin
- Ranolazine
- Verapamil
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Azithromycin
- Bosentan
- Clopidogrel
- Oat Bran
- Pectin
- St John's Wort
How much does Altoprev (lovastatin) cost?
$1,129.82
Altoprev (lovastatin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Altoprev (lovastatin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Take certain medications that can interact with Altoprev (lovastatin)
- Liver problems (such as liver failure and severe liver cirrhosis)
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
What are alternatives to Altoprev (lovastatin)?
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