Lovastatin

This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Lovastatin but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns.

Overview:

Lovastatin (when available)

Pharmacology and use:
Lovastatin, an antilipemic agent produced by fermentation of Aspergillus terreus, is the first of a class of lipid-lowering agents known as the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Lovastatin is used to treat hypercholesterolemia, to slow coronary atherosclerosis, and to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke. Lovastatin, like simvastin and unlike pravastatin, is a prodrug, concentrating active drug in the liver during first-pass circulation. For management as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, apo B, and TG levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia; For primary prevention of coronary heart disease

Mechanism Of Action:
Lovastatin is a lactone that is readily hydrolyzed in vivo to the corresponding b-hydroxyacid, a potent inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. The conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate is an early step in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol.

News Articles on Lovastatin

FDA and pharma urged to cooperate on BTC drugs  -  03 Jul 2008
However, issues such as the FDA’s rejection of Merck & Co’s application for its cholesterol-lowerer Mevacor Daily (lovastatin) to be switched from Pharma Times (subscription),

Varying Strength and Contamination Found in Cholesterol Supplements  -  Jul 1, 2008
Amounts of “naturally occurring�? lovastatin were found to vary by 100-fold across brands, from as little as 0.1 mg to over 10.0 mg per pill. HealthNewsDigest.com,

Red rice yeast supplements raise contamination issues  -  Jul 1, 2008
Monacolin-K is otherwise known as lovastatin (the active agent in red yeast rice). He said that while the danger to public health was not known until NutraIngredients-usa.com,

Chinese Red Yeast Rice Is Good For Your Heart, Study Suggests  -  Jun 9, 2008
The XZK capsules contained a combination of lovastatin, lovastatin hydroxyl acid, ergosterol and other components. "I think it is surprising that a natural Science Daily (press release)

Chinese Red Yeast Rice May Prevent Heart Attack  -  Jun 13, 2008
The XZK capsules contained a combination of lovastatin, lovastatin hydroxyl acid, ergosterol, and other components, the report said. U.S. News & World Report,

Walgreens prescribes more club card use  -  Jun 24, 2008
The discounted generics include blood-pressure medicine Atenolol, diabetes medicine Metformin and cholesterol medicine Lovastatin. Chicago Sun-Times,

Spending Soars for Cholesterol-Fighting Statins  -  Jun 29, 2008
The generic names of drugs in this category end in statin, such as lovastatin and simvastatin. Comprehensive, multi-year, trials for statins have shown they The Ledger,

Over-the-Counter Sales of Statins and Other Drugs for Asymptomatic ...  -  Jun 18, 2008
Merck recently submitted its third application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow it to sell its cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin in New England Journal of Medicine (subscription),

Red yeast rice extract and heart disease  -  Jun 9, 2008
However, this is not surprising, as one of the original cholesterol-lowering drugs – lovastatin – was originally extracted from yeast rice. NHS Choices,

Chinese Supplement Triggers Warning  -  Jun 9, 2008
The active ingredient in red yeast rice is lovastatin, which is used in the cholesterol-lowering drug Mevacor. On Monday, researchers from China reported TurnTo23.com,

ConsumerLab.com Releases Red Yeast Rice Report  -  Jul 1, 2008
...compounds known as monacolins, including lovastatin, which is the active compound also seen in some pharmaceutical cholesterol-lowering medications. Natural Products Industry Insider,

Popular Drugs, Side-Effects and Feeling Ill  -  Jul 1, 2008
The most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering "statins" include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor) Rocklin and Roseville Today,

Report: $1B Spent on 10 Prescription Drugs Upstate  -  Jun 30, 2008
...consumers have much less expensive generic choices for treating the same condition such as simvastatin, pravastatin, and lovastatin, which can cost as RedOrbit,

People's Pharmacy Red yeast rice can lower cholesterol  -  Jun 22, 2008
It contains some compounds related to statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor). A recent study in China shows that red yeast rice Houston Chronicle,

The Effect of Statins on the Development of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes  -  Jun 26, 2008
...'lovastatin', 'atorvastatin', 'cenvastatiri, 'rosuvastatin', and 'fluvastatin' was used. Results were limited to randomized controlled trials in humans. RedOrbit,

Health Freedom Warning: Drug Company Seeks to Outlaw Vitamin B6 to ...  -  Jun 25, 2008
Drug companies ripped off the lovastatin molecules from red yeast rice, then patented them. Once they achieved FDA approval for their "statin drugs," it was Natural News.com,

Chinese extract may reduce repeat heart attacks: study  -  Jun 9, 2008
In fact, because the extract reduces lipid levels in the blood, it has formed the basis of statin drugs, such as Lovastatin in the US "If further testing CBC.ca,

Red yeast rice may lower cholesterol but has side effects  -  Jun 23, 2008
It contains some compounds related to statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin. A recent study in China shows red yeast rice can nearly Jackson Clarion Ledger,

APTIVUS Oral Solution Also Approved for Treatment-Experienced ...  -  Jun 24, 2008
...propafenone, quinidine, rifampin, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, St. John's wort, lovastatin, simvastatin, Earthtimes (press release),

Gatorade cure for leg cramps  -  Jun 22, 2008
Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), and Crestor (rosuvastatin) fall into the Monterey County Herald,

Your Health: Chinese herb found to reduce risk of a second heart ...  -  Jun 20, 2008
...drug Mevacor (lovastatin) and is strikingly similar to the active ingredients in other cholesterol-lowering medications, including Lipitor and Zocor. Green Valley News,

Toward "Pain-Free" Statin Prescribing: Clinical Algorithm for ...  -  Jun 14, 2008
...atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin) and other agents that are substrates or potent inhibitors of this enzyme (eg, macrolide antibiotics, RedOrbit,

Health news in brief: Smoking linked to hearing loss  -  Jun 18, 2008
Red yeast rice is the source of the first statin drug, lovastatin. It is made by fermenting rice with a yeast called Monascus purpureus. AsiaOne,

Red yeast extract reduces major coronary events in large ...  -  Jun 12, 2008
Lovastatin, the first statin approved in the United States, occurs naturally in certain forms of red yeast rice that are made when the rice is cultivated TheHeart.Org,

USC School of Pharmacy Gets $5 Million Grant  -  Jun 9, 2008
...of A. nidulans - a form of fungi related to the fungus from which the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin (marketed as Mevacor) is derived, Wang said. LA Downtown News Online,

New Abbott Aluvia(R) Tablet for Treatment of HIV Available in ...  -  Jun 2, 2008
Medical advice and approval must be sought before Aluvia is taken with medicines that lower blood cholesterol (eg, lovastatin or simvastatin), ITNews,

NSI Synergy Multivitamins Earn Coveted "Editor's Choice" Award for ...  -  Jun 18, 2008
The natural lovastatin compounds in red yeast rice are full-spectrum and naturally safer than artificial, chemical statin compounds. Natural News.com,

Heart Disease: Simple rice product can dramatically reduce chance ...  -  May 29, 2008
The rice naturally contains lovastatin and other statin-like substances called monacolins, which are used in Merck’s statin drug. What Doctors Don't Tell You,

People's Pharmacy: A Q&A about health matters  -  May 19, 2008
Researchers at Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente in California determined splitting atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin Seattle Times,

Cholesterol and statin drugs  -  May 23, 2008
Lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin are available in generic form and are cheaper (all prices are from Costco for roughly equivalent doses). The Union of Grass Valley,

Pay attention to statin side effects  -  May 25, 2008
When you add these medications to other statin-type medicines like simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, Crestor and Lescol, the total number of bottles Houston Chronicle,

Lowering cholesterol: what the options are  -  May 6, 2008
Generic statins (lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin) cost less. Experts agree that statins are the best cholesterol-lowering medications. Myrtle Beach Sun News,

Controlling Cholesterol with Statins  -  May 27, 2008
Some statins, in particular Lovastatin and Simvastatin, also are known to interact adversely with other drugs. This information, coupled with the degree of Food Consumer,

Some statins may protect against cancer: study  -  May 15, 2008
Examples of lipophilic statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or fluvastatin (Lescol). Anti-cancer effects for Reuters

Heart to Heart Talk Bamboo bikes  -  May 12, 2008
The four statins mentioned in this study were atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, or fluvastatin. More independent clinical researches from other Inquirer.net,

New dosage strength reduces number of PREZISTA tablets taken daily  -  May 19, 2008
Coadministration is not recommended with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, lopinavir/ritonavir, saquinavir, lovastatin, pravastatin, PharmaLive.com (press release),

Reduced Cancer Risk Seen with Statin Use  -  May 15, 2008
...at or above the statin-specific target dose, for any of the lipophilic statin medications (atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, or fluvastatin). Cancerpage.com,

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift for Cholesterol Problems - HypoCol  -  May 12, 2008
HypoCol uses natural ingredients, which includes Monacolin K, a natural equivalent to Lovastatin. Red Yeast Rice has been used in China for over 1000 years India PRwire (Press Release),

On the Pulse - 9th May  -  May 9, 2008
...in the saphenous vein grafts was faster – except for those who had been randomized to aggressive lipid-lowering treatment with lovastatin. OnMedica,

Merck warned by FDA over vaccine plant failings  -  May 5, 2008
...lowerer Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin), works no better than the widely-available generic drug lovastatin on the progression of atherosclerosis. In-PharmaTechnologist.com,

Merck Bails on Natural Products  -  May 8, 2008
...and that was seven years ago. Mevacor (lovastatin) will stand as the modern high-water mark of Merck's natural product work - presumably from now on. Corante,

A Plan for Living a Long and Healthy Life (Part 2)  -  May 6, 2008
Invirase) and indinavir (Crixivan), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor), Natural News.com,

Man Puts Pills Into Grandfather's Beer to ‘Calm' Him  -  May 21, 2008
A witness to the event said he heard the 19-year-old say, "This will get granddad to calm down" before he put about five pills of Lovastatin into the drink, Kitsap Sun (Subscription),

Statins Are Not Without Problems  -  May 27, 2008
When you add these medications to other statin-type medicines like simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, Crestor and Lescol, the total number of bottles The Ledger,

Statins can prevent esophageal cancer  -  23 Apr 2008
...responsible for making cholesterol. This group includes atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and pravastatin (Pravachol). PRESS TV,

Cholesterol Lowering: Neuroprotective Effect Of Lovastatin Described  -  Apr 9, 2008
...(2008) Lovastatin Induces Neuroprotection Through Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Signaling Pathways. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 13 (2):111-122. Science Daily (press release)

Cholesterol drugs destroy esophageal cancer cells  -  Apr 21, 2008
Using laboratory cultures of esophageal cancer cells, the researchers found that adding simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and pravastatin Reuters

Statins remain under margin pressure  -  Mar 25, 2008
The main players are firms like Biocon, Ranbaxy, Themis Medicare and Zydus Cadila who have strong export focus through statins such as Lovastatin, Business Standard,

Statins Cause Apoptosis of Esophageal Cancer Cells  -  Apr 21, 2008
Using cell cultures, the researchers found that simvastatin, lovastatin, and pravastatin produced dose-dependent reductions in EAC cells and inhibited Cancerpage.com,

Hypocol Listed on Squidoo!  -  Mar 26, 2008
HypoCol uses natural ingredients, which includes Monacolin K, a natural equivalent to Lovastatin. Red yeast rice has been used in China for over 1000 years PR-USA.net (press release),

Herbal Science Recalls Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra ...  -  Apr 15, 2008
...medication that could be harmful to human health and issued a recall for a number of supplements containing the prescription medication lovastatin. Newsinferno.com,

Catalyst Rx Steps Up its Generic Advantage Plan  -  Mar 27, 2008
Likewise, an identical 90-day supply of lovastatin (generic Mevacor(R)) costs $123 through mail service and as little as $61 at a retail location. FOXBusiness

Statins: Green tea and Q10 counter worst effects  -  Apr 10, 2008
In the new study, three statin drugs – fluvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin – interfered with the body’s energy production, and the problem was What Doctors Don't Tell You,

Breast Cancer Recurrence & Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT ...  -  Apr 13, 2008
Four statin drugs within the so-called “lipophilic class�? (atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin and fluvastatin) were specifically included in this Men's News Daily,

Issues and benefits of using statin drugs  -  Apr 8, 2008
They include lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Kentucky.com,

Beware of Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Advertisements  -  Apr 2, 2008
The three generic statins: simvastatin, pravastatin and lovastatin cost far less. "Lipitor is a highly effective drug and it's one good choice for people WRAL.com,

How Some Drugs Deliver Good Statistics, Not Good Health  -  Apr 2, 2008
If lifestyle changes are not enough, some patients, especially those who have already had a heart attack or stroke, should consider drugs such as lovastatin Evening Bulletin,

Lower cholesterol with red yeast rice  -  Apr 1, 2008
Monacolin K is lovastatin, which inhibits the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase involved in cholesterol production in the body. New Straits Times,

Ending the Cholesterol-Heart Disease Myth  -  Apr 7, 2008
The statin drugs that doctors use to push cholesterol levels down are LIPITOR (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), and Pravachol Natural News.com,

Kidney Disease Rising – How to Avoid It  -  Mar 28, 2008
In rare cases, some statin drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Mevacor) can harm muscles which then release a protein that harms kidneys. NewsMax.com,

ACC: For ENHANCE Results, Let There Be Light  -  Mar 25, 2008
...but was also looking again at ezetimibe (Zetia) and at the labels of simvastatin, atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), MedPage Today,

Par Pharmaceuticals Inc Q4 2007 Earnings Call Transcript  -  Mar 24, 2008
...down $18.2 million, cefprozil down $10.7 million, tramadol down by $10.5 million, lovastatin which declined $9.9 million, paroxetindown 8.3 million. Seeking Alpha,

Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rodent Models  -  Mar 26, 2008
13:355-381, 1993 Otto,J, Ordovas,JM, Smith,D, van Dongen,D, Nicolosi,RJ, Schaefer,EJ: Lovastatin inhibits diet induced atherosclerosis in F1B golden Syrian Animal Lab News,

Brand Names/Synonyms:
Lovastatin is also known by the following brand names and/or synonymsCCRIS 7557; Compactin; Elisor; Lipostat; Lovastatin; Mevalotin; Mevastatin; Mevinolin; Oliprevin; Pravachol; Pravaselect; Pravastatin; Pravastatin Sodium; Pravastatina [Spanish]; Pravastatine [French]; Pravastatinum [Latin]; Selectin; Selipran; Vasten

Drug Category:
Lovastatin is categorized under the following by the FDA: Anticholesteremic Agents; HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; ATC:C10AA03

Dosage Forms:
TABLET

Absorption:
Average oral absorption of pravastatin is 34% and absolute bioavailability is 17%.

Interactions:
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Chemical IUPAC Name:
3,5-dihydroxy-7-[6-hydroxy-2-methyl-8-(2-methylbutanoyloxy)-1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-heptanoicacid

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