Mevacor Precautions and Warnings (Cont.)

• There are certain other medications that Mevacor can interact with (see Mevacor Drug Interactions).
   
• If you are an alcoholic or drink alcohol frequently, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to starting Mevacor. Alcohol can affect the way the liver works, indirectly affecting the Mevacor.
   
• Statins have been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a blood test that looks at your liver function before starting Mevacor and several months after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the Mevacor dosage is changed (see Mevacor and Liver Problems).
   
• Rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and other serious muscle problems have rarely been reported with Mevacor and other statins. You are at greater risk for developing muscle problems, such as rhabdomyolysis, with Mevacor if you:

o Have kidney damage

 

o Are elderly

 

o Are not being properly treated for hypothyroidism

 

o Are taking certain medications, such as fibrates (Lopid^®), niacin, cyclosporine, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, or antifungal medicines (see Mevacor Drug Interactions for more medicines)

 

o Drink grapefruit juice or use grapefruit products (see Grapefruit Juice and Mevacor).

Make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill (see Mevacor and Muscle Pain for more information).

• Mevacor is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. The safety of Mevacor in pregnant women has not been established. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider immediately (see Mevacor and Pregnancy).
   
• If you are nursing, it is not known whether or not Mevacor passes through your milk. Therefore, if you are taking Mevacor, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should stop nursing or discontinue Mevacor use.