Mevacor and Joint Pain: An Overview
Joint pain is a rare but possible side effect of
Mevacor® (
lovastatin). For people taking Mevacor, joint pain happens in less than 1 percent of cases.
Mevacor and Joint Pain: Suggestions
If you are taking Mevacor and joint pain is a problem, there are some things that you can try. These short-term relief suggestions include medications and heat/cold remedies.
Medications
Patients who take Mevacor and experience joint pain often benefit from using over-the-counter pain relief medicines, such as
acetaminophen (
Tylenol®), aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs) such as
ibuprofen (
Motrin® or Advil
®).
Heat/Cold Remedies
Moist heat (such as a warm bath or shower) or dry heat (such as a heating pad) placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes may relieve joint pain. In some cases, cold packs (a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel) can relieve pain or numb the sore area. If you have poor circulation, do not use cold packs. Water therapy in a heated pool or whirlpool may also relieve joint pain and stiffness.
Mevacor and Joint Pain: Summary
For people taking Mevacor, joint pain is a possible side effect. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have concerns about Mevacor and joint pain. Also, keep in mind that it is not possible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will have a side effect with a medicine that you have never taken before. Therefore, if you notice any joint pain while taking Mevacor, talk to your healthcare provider. If the joint pain continues after the first couple of months, your healthcare provider may recommend adjusting the
Mevacor dosage or switching to another
cholesterol medication.
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