Lovastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Lovastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Lovastatin is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors

Lovastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Lovastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take lovastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Before taking lovastatin, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lovastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

There are many other drugs that can increase your risk of serious medical problems if you take them together with lovastatin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Lovastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You should not take lovastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

The following drugs should not be used while you are taking lovastatin:

• conivaptan (Vaprisol);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• imatinib (Gleevec);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• nefazodone;

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• heart or blood pressure medication such as nicardipine (Cardene) or quinidine (Quin-G);

• hepatitis C medications such as boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek); or

• HIV/AIDS medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase), or tipranavir (Aptivus).

To make sure you can safely take lovastatin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• history of liver or kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, lovastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take lovastatin if you are pregnant.Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking lovastatin.

Lovastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking lovastatin.