Lovastatin is a prescription medication that is used in combination with a healthy diet to help lower LDL Cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol) and triglycerides and to raise HDL Cholesterol levels (‘good’ cholesterol). Restructuring the cholesterol produced by the body decreases the risk of heart disease and helps to prevent cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks.

Using lovastatin and improving your diet are effective ways to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. However, other lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and abstaining from smoking will help to make this treatment more effective.

Lovastatin (especially when used with diet, weight-loss, and exercise) is an effective treatment for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke and decreases the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.

Lovastatin is also used to slow the worsening of damage to the heart or blood vessels in patients with coronary artery disease and to treat adolescent patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition that causes increased LDL cholesterol at birth and heart attacks at an early age.

While there are some common side effects associated with lovastatin, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because the benefits of keeping your cholesterol at healthy levels outweigh any adverse side effects it may cause. The most common side effects include:

Constipation Memory loss or forgetfulness Confusion

Let your doctor know if you experience any side effects that are serious or don’t go away. Some side effects can be serious. Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness Fatigue Fever Dark colored urine Yellowing of the skin or eyes Pain in the upper right part of the stomach Nausea Unusual bleeding or bruising Loss of appetite Flu-like symptoms Rash Hives Itching Difficulty breathing or swallowing Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Hoarseness

Let your doctor know of all allergies you may have as well as a complete list of medications (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, and supplements that you’re taking. Many medications do not interact well with lovastatin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease or if you have or have ever had seizures, muscle aches or weakness, low blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking lovastatin, stop taking lovastatin and call your doctor immediately.

For more information regarding precautions and possible side effects, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Lovastatin is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not lovastatin is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.