Overview
It works best with a healthy diet and exercise.
What it's used for
- High LDL cholesterol
- Lowering heart attack risk
How to take it
- Take regular tablets with the evening meal.
- Swallow extended-release tablets whole at bedtime.
Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
Side effects
Common side effects
- Muscle aches
- Constipation
- Headache
Warnings
- Not used during pregnancy.
Other medicines, foods, and alcohol
- Avoid grapefruit juice.
- Clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, some HIV medicines, gemfibrozil, and cyclosporine can raise it to unsafe levels.
- Diltiazem, verapamil, and amiodarone limit how much can be taken.
Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Statins are generally stopped during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Missed doses, overdose, and storage
If you miss a dose
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose. Don't take two doses at once.
If someone takes too much
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.
Storing it
Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.
Conditions it's used for
Sources
- DailyMed: FDA drug label for Lovastatin (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- MedlinePlus: Drugs, herbs, and supplements
- FDA: Drugs@FDA
Last updated 2026-11-13.