MEVACOR Reviews (LOVASTATIN)

Average Rating: 1.6 (113 Ratings)

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 Type: Rx Drug

  

MEVACOR  (LOVASTATIN):  Lovastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.   FDA Approval Date: 1988-12-14 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Satisfaction highest to lowest.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6


RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR MEVACORCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  2 NEUROSURGERIES / HIGH CHOL. NONE WHATSOEVER. KNOCKED MY CHOL DOWN IN 3 MONTHS FROM 280 TO 80. WHAT CAN I SAY? IT WORKED FOR ME, 100% THANKFUL. LOOKS LIKE I'M ON IT FOREVER NOW. M 57 3 years
11/8/2009
 5  high cholesterol none Taking lovastatin for almost 1 yr. Dr. started at lower dosage and checked blood every 3 months increasing dose each time until I reached 80 mg a day. My cholesterol is now where it should be and I have no problems taking the drug. F 68 11 months
5/1/2009
 5  Elevated Cholesterol From my previous posts, I have reduced the side effects to my back maybe cracks a little more than usual - during the day I'll twist this way ot that or flex my sholder back and get a crack out of my back. It's really a very minor side effect. I reported twice before on this post (I used the same description found in the left most column). For clarification, Mevacor, Lovastatin, Monocolins and Red Yeast Rice are [pretty much] the same drug. - Anyways, my numbers now are: Total 194, HDL 53, LDL 129, triglycerides very good, glucose a little elevated but still well within normal. - here is what I did and what I have changed since these numbers were derived. 1/2 pill of Red Yeast Rice (5.2g monocolins), 1500 mg niacin (actually 1200 niacin and 300 inositol in the form of inositol hexanicotinate), 5 1g fish oil pills (molecularly distilled to remove any toxins), b-complex with and also extra folic acid and b12, 200mg CoQ10 (minimum) - Going forward I will increase niacin to 2000mg to increase my HDL. I must be careful and watch my liver function number because niacin as well as the red yeast rice puts a strain on the liver. CoQ10 is absolutely essential for the elimination of many of my earlier symptoms. M 49 18 months
6/26/2008
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 5  High Cholesterol I have been taking it (actually the generic Lovastatin) for 2 months. So far, no side effects and it has significantly lowered my Cholesterol and LDLs. Both numbers are nearly in the normal range. I get it from Target at a cost of $12 for 90 days. M 44 2 months
4/14/2007
 4  High cholesterol Well I've been takeing this for around day 10 years. Though lately about 6 months now I have been experinvented severe joint pain from the time I wake till I go to bed. I didn't relief that all my problems we're from takeing this drug I have so many side effects that I wouldn't have known was from this pill if I hadn't read all these reviews. I'm gonna slow takes myself off them. I'm only 50 and feel like I'm 90.body hurts all over all the time ,weight gain ,sleepiness it's horse I want my life back. F 50 1 days
40 mg
8/6/2015
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 4  cholesterol I sleep better at night and my arthritic knees have improved. I was headed for partial knee replacements on both knees. I have put this off as my knees are so much better. Last Saturday I danced at least 15 fast dances at the local bar with no ill effects the next day. F 61 90 days
15 mg 1X day
3/16/2010
 4  high cholesterol some bloating after taking, usually last a couple of hours taking generic, lovastatin 20 mg. lowered bad cholesterol from 212 to 167 in 3 months Dr. just increased amt. to 40 mg. so I'll check back in after my 3 month trial with the increase. F 67 3 months
10/16/2008
 4  Cholesterol Neck stiffness, neck pain, neck muscles felt as thought they were going to freeze up and crack. Heaviness in chest. Lack of ambition. Seemed to be losing muscle mass. Struggled in my running. I took Red Yeast Rice extended release with 10.2 mg monocolins (Lovastatin or brand name Mevacor). I had great success lowering my cholesterol from 245 to 165 but had bad side effects as I listed. I then started taking 100 mg CoQ10 daily and symptoms lessened. I then cut the pill in half (cut my dose in half) and all symptoms went away. I then started taking a beta sterol 15 minutes before each meal (total beta sterol a day between 3 and 4 grams). I started taking fish oil and cod liver oil also preceded by 1 beta sterol. Beta sterol is believed to compete with cholesterol within the digestive track for uptake. Lastly, I take CLA (another fatty acid just as fish oil has fatty acids DHA and EPA). The CLA is helping me drop fat and hopefully gain muscle. I head to the Dr's next week to check my blood levels. If I keep below 200 total with HDL above 65 and LDL below 120 then I'll be happy - and of course my triglycerides too. M 49 4 months
8/1/2007
 4  High Choles (244 - Red Yeast Rice) This works, I guarantee. I make this entry on this site to educate. I'll be short. Mevacor is the brand name. Lovastatin is the generic name. Red Yeast Rice contains lovastatin - or known by monacolin-K when in Red Yeast Rice. Along with monacolin-k there are monacolin-1,2,3,4,5,6 and a beta sterostol. With RYR these work synergistically to lower cholesterol with an amount (mg) less than that used for same cholestrol lower effect as Mevacor. Therefor, with 10 gm of RYR monacolin you get the effect of about 15 mg of Mevacor. It not only uses less but it spreads out the load rather than targeting a single receptor thus putting a far lesser load on the liver. I lowered my cholesterol from 244 to 195 and elevated HDL from 63 to 70. Now I'll mix in walnuts and oatmeal and continue working out. People jump into statins - DON'T. Start with say 5 mg for 2 weeks and then 10 mg for 2 and then 15 mg. The rule will be that 10 mg will lower overall cholestrol by about 23%. Adding another 10 mg to 20 mg doesn't mean you'll lower it 46% - it will be more like 28%. By slowly starting off on it you will help avoid the problems. And, I guarantee most the people here with problems are boozing it. Cut back to maybe 1 glass a wine on 3 day per week. I drank too much once and boy did I pay for it. And I tried taking it before and stopped due to problems. THis time I took it slowly and cut back on the booze and all is good. Initially I felt tired and a little heavy in the chest. but that is all gone. And rememeber to take 30 mg CoQ10 per day to replace what lovastatin removes. M 48 2 months
6/4/2007
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 4  High Cholesteral None Have taken 1 yr. Is helping but too early to tell end result. I have pain in shoulders & knees but it is due to arthritus F 70 365 days
3/23/2006
 4  High Cholesterol NONE Been taking Lovastatin for 10 months - Lowered cholesterol M 46 10 months
3/1/2006
 4  lower cholesterol heartburn,heart racing slightly taking only 10mg per day. Seems to act as an anti-inflammatory also since my back pain has gone away. M 63 6 months
6/15/2003
 3  high cholesterol (240) Compared to other statins, the side effects were not as bad, but still had anxiety, muscle pain, tingling in hands and feet. Also noticed weight gain (10 pounds) and bloating. F 55 6 months
10 mg 3X W
10/5/2013
 3  High cholesterol I've been taking Lovastatin for about 10 years. Had the sore muscle thing, but not severe. I am experiencing tremors (shaky hands, fingers, facial muscles. A "RARE" side effect of Lovastatin is "tremors". I have a friend who has extreme tremors and takes Lovastatin. I want to know if there are many of you out there who have experienced increasing tremors. Thanks. I might be 74, but I'm as active as most 40 year olds, might account for the sore muscles. M 74 10 years
10 Mg 1X day
3/18/2011
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 3  borderline high cholesterol Severe muscle atrophy, pain everywhere, migraines frequent & horrible when I NEVER had them before, neck stiffness, unable to exercise effectively any longer. Have made the decision to go off them. Cholesterol was 204. Dr said to go on them & it only dropped to 178. Not worth it. I am too young. I have had so many blood tests, MRI & Dr visits with every specialty imaginable, trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I recently went on vacation & didn't have them & the difference was stunning! I felt normal. I have also been supplementing with CoQ10, 50 mg per day, since I came across it 3 months ago. Migraines are slightly less painful & less frequent only. No other reduction in symptoms with CoQ10. Maybe for those in advanced age to help extend or improve life. However, Drs are prescribing these things to people younger and younger and the 40 year effects of taking these things have NOT been ascertained, nor have the effects on younger people been adequately ascertained. Same with only borderline high cholesterol cases. F 32 2.5 years
10mg 1X day
7/9/2010
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 3  Elevated Cholesterol ..A GUIDE TO LOWERING CHOLESTEROL FOR THOSE WITH BAD REACTIONS TO STATINS DRUGS SUCH AS MEVACOR AND LIPITOR, etc.. ...Write me if you have questions.. I commented on this page before. I had great success with Red Yeast Rice (also known as Lovastatin brand name Mevacor)lowering my total cholesterol from 244 to 168 with my HDL 40. My orig numers were 244 w/HDL 62. But there were side effects and my HDL had dropped 22. I stopped and tried beta sterols, oatmeal, loss 10 lbs, kept up the exercise (best I could), fish oil 2 pills total EPA 530mg and 1000mg niacin extended release but my numbers were total 225 w/HDL 53. Thats a little progress but I need more. I have increased my niacin to 1200 mg (600 before bed and 600 in the morning) and started taking Red Yeast Rice again but half a pill therefor 5.2 monacolins but my neck has started to tighten up and crack with headaches. I'm taking one day off RYR and tom I take only 1/4 a pill for 2.6 monacolins. I mean Advicor is niacin extended relase and Lovastatin and it comes in quantities starting at 500mg extended release niacin and 20 mg lovastatin. I'm well within the lowest amount so what gives. I'm upping my fish oil to 5 to 6 pills for an EPA of 1100-1350 mg. I had been taking 6 pills fish oil before my first test (HDL 62) but had stopped before my second test (HDL 40).My goal is Total under 200, HDL minimum 75 and LDL under 125 hopefully close to 100 M 49 7 days
11/6/2007
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 3   F 48 0 days
10/1/2006
 3  Type 2 diabetes According to my doctor, the beneficial side effects of this statin are increased blood flow to the kidneys which is a good thing for diabetics. He also subscribes to the theory that diabetics, even with "normal" cholesterol numbers, have lower quality cholesterol - hence the statin helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (which is worse in us than non-diabetics) and increase good cholesterol (which is not as of good a quality as in non-diabetics). I didn't particularly need this for cholesterol problems - my doctor prescribed it mostly for beneficial side effects. In any case my total cholesterol was 151 before starting (LDL & HDL both in the low normal ranges too). After 6 months my total dropped to 124. Triglycerides took a nose dive from mid-range normal to low normal. The ratio of LDL to HDL also improved. M 47 6 months
3/23/2006
 3  cholesterol After about one year on Mevacor, experienced symmetrical pain in fingers and toes (each finger and each toe simultaneously), as well as elbows, knees. Wake up tired and sore; ready to go back to bed. Upon awakening, difficult to walk. After a few hours, easier to walk, move hands, but low level of joint pain persists 24/7. Some My doctor stopped the Rx just 3.5 days ago, thinking it may be the cause of the athralgia and myalgia - fancy names for sore bones and joints! (smile) Waiting for improvement in aches and pains. Will keep you posted. F 51 1 years
8/7/2005
 3  high cholesterol I am having severe knee pain, elbow pain as well but have had tennis elbow issues before so I can't say the medication is causing this, depression - I am snappier with my family, overall tiredness and lack of energy, not even enough energy to exercise I go back to the doctor for the first time next week and will discuss all this with him before making a final decision as to the actual cause F 39 3 months
6/12/2005
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MEVACOR  (LOVASTATIN):  Lovastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.   FDA Approval Date: 1988-12-14 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

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