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Lovastatin
Lovastatin is a member of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor family of drugs, which blocks the body’s production of cholesterol. Lovastatin is used to lower high cholesterol levels. Cholestin, a dietary supplement advertised to help maintain healthy cholesterol, but not to lower high cholesterol, contains several HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor chemicals, including lovastatin.
Do…
- Keep up your CoQ10 levels 30 to 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day may prevent this heart-healthy nutrient from being depleted by your medication, and it may reduce the likelihood of a potential side effect.
- Try cholesterol-lowering margarine Using margarines containing sitostanol (Benecol), which is made from naturally occurring unsaturated sterols from soybean oil (Take Control), can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Don't…
- Disrupt your medicine with grapefruit Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice (and potentially pomegranate) as they may inhibit the body’s ability to break down lovastatin, making it more toxic.
- Take red yeast rice with statins Although red yeast rice (Monascus purpureas) extract has been shown to lower moderately high cholesterol and triglycerides, it contains small amounts of natural HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and should not be used with statin medications.
Also indexed as:
- lovastatin,
- Mevacor
About this treatment
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—This medication may deplete these substances from the body or interfere with how they work; extra intake may help replenish them. | Coenzyme Q10* |
| May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction and/or prevention—These substances may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.
| Milk Thistle* |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—These substances may help this medication work better. | Food Fish Oil* Psyllium* Sitostanol* |
 Avoid: Reduces drug effectiveness—When taking this medication, avoid these substances as they may decrease the medication's absorption and/or activity in the body. | Soluble Fiber St. John’s Wort |
| Avoid: Adverse interaction—When taking this medication, avoid these substances, as the combination may cause undesirable or dangerous interactions. | Red Yeast Rice* |
 Check: Explanation needed—When taking this medication, read the article details and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these substances. | Grapefruit Vitamin A Vitamin B3 Vitamin E Pomegranate* |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. The Aisle7 knowledgebase does not contain every possible interaction.
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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