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Mevacor
Mevacor is licensed to treat several conditions associated with heart disease, such as high triglycerides and high cholesterol. The medicine, which is available in tablet form, works by blocking a particular enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. Possible side effects include constipation, gas, and diarrhea.
Mevacor® (lovastatin) is a prescription medication used for treating a number of conditions related to heart disease, including high cholesterol. It is part of a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which are more popularly known as statins.
(Click Mevacor Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
The medication is manufactured by Merck and Co, Inc.
Mevacor is part of a class of drugs called statins. It works by blocking a particular enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. Mevacor also:
- Increases the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol")
- Increases HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol")
- Decreases triglycerides.
In previous research studies, people taking Mevacor 20 mg once in the evening were able to, on average, decrease LDL cholesterol by 27 percent and total cholesterol by 19 percent. They were also able to increase HDL by 6 percent. At this dosage, triglycerides actually went up 9 percent. At other doses, triglycerides decreased by as much as 27 percent. The effects of Mevacor on cholesterol and triglyceride levels are greater with higher doses.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD