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Compare Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lovastatin (Mevacor) and niacin ER (Niaspan) are both medications used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, but they belong to different medication classes. Lovastatin is a statin, which works by blocking a protein in your liver that makes cholesterol, while niacin ER is an antilipemic and a form of vitamin B3 that helps lower cholesterol by blocking the release of fat from fatty tissue. Lovastatin is typically taken once or twice a day, while niacin ER can be taken once daily in its extended-release form or three times daily in its immediate-release form. Lovastatin is available as a generic and is taken with food, whereas niacin ER is available both as a prescription and over-the-counter. Common side effects of lovastatin include stomach upset and headache, while niacin ER often causes flushing and stomach upset. Both medications can cause serious muscle problems like rhabdomyolysis, especially when they are combined or when niacin ER is combined with another statin. Lovastatin has more drug interactions, such as with amiodarone and warfarin, and should not be taken with grapefruit juice. Niacin can affect blood sugar levels and is not recommended for people with active liver disease.

  • Lovastatin
    Niacin er
  • Lovastatin
    Niacin er

  • Summary of Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Summary for Statin
    Prescription only

    Lovastatin is a low-to-moderate intensity statin that's taken once or twice per day. It's used to lower cholesterol in certain adults and children ages 10 years and older to help prevent heart attack or stroke. This medication lowers your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (a type of fat) levels. It can also raise your "good" cholesterol (HDL). Follow a heart-healthy diet and get regular exercise while you're taking lovastatin so the medication can work as best as possible. Lovastatin side effects include stomach upset and headache.

    Summary for Antilipemic

    Niacin ER (also known as vitamin B3) is a prescription antilipemic medication for adults. It's used to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides (a common form of fat) levels, but it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Niacin ER is taken by mouth once daily, while niacin (Niacor) is typically taken three times daily. Some side effects of niacin ER include flushing and stomach upset. Please note that niacin is also available over-the-counter to treat vitamin B3 deficiency.

  • Indications of Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Indications for
    •Lower "bad" cholesterol levels
    •Prevention of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack) in people at risk for heart disease
    Indications for
    •High cholesterol and high triglycerides
    •Lower risk of repeat heart attack in people with a history of heart attack and high cholesterol
    •Slow plaque buildup in the arteries of people with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high cholesterol (as an add-on medication)
    •Severely high triglycerides in people who are at risk of pancreatitis (as an add-on medication)

  • Pros and Cons of Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Pros and Const for Statin
    Pros
    •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)
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Doesn't replace having a balanced diet and regular exercise routine to lower cholesterol levels
    •Has more dosing limits for certain drug interactions than some other statins
    •Not safe to use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Antilipemic
    Pros
    •Can lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and raise “good” (HDL) cholesterol in people who have trouble doing so with diet and exercise alone
    •Can also lower triglycerides
    •An option for people who didn’t have success or had side effects with statins
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Doesn’t work as well as statin medications in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
    •Can cause flushing, a bothersome side effect
    •Need to take immediate-release form multiple times a day
    •Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Gas (4-5%)
    •Constipation (2-4%)
    •Nausea (2-3%)
    •Stomach pain (2-3%)
    •Muscle pain (2-3%)
    •Headache (2-3%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Extended-release tablets:

    •Flushing (up to 69%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 14%)
    •Nausea (up to 11%)

  • Warnings of Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Liver problems
    •Higher blood sugar levels
    •Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    Common Side Effects for
    •Muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney and heart damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    •Liver damage

  • Prices with our coupons for Lovastatin vs. Niaspan

    Learn more about Lovastatin
    Learn more about Niacin er

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