DESCRIPTION
id: 14a0993f-022b-4668-9839-e936548a24a3
displayName: DESCRIPTION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34089-3
Lovastatin is a cholesterol lowering agent isolated from a strain of Aspergillus terreus. After oral ingestion, lovastatin, which is an inactive lactone, is hydrolyzed to the corresponding β-hydroxyacid form. This is a principal metabolite and an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an early and rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.
Lovastatin is [1S-[1α(R*),3α,7β,8β(2S*,4S*),8aβ]]-1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenyl-2-methylbutanoate. Its structural formula is:
C24H36O5 M.W. 404.55
Lovastatin is a white, nonhygroscopic crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile.
Lovastatin tablets are supplied as 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg tablets for oral administration. In addition to the active ingredient lovastatin, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and pregelatinized starch. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is added as a preservative. Lovastatin tablets, 10 mg also contain FD&C Yellow #6. Lovastatin tablets, 20 mg also contain FD&C Blue #1. Lovastatin tablets, 40 mg also contain D&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #1, and FD&C Yellow #6.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
id: 920a146a-d20a-45bf-b81e-c790e6406ce6
displayName: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34090-1
The involvement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in atherogenesis has been well-documented in clinical and pathological studies, as well as in many animal experiments. Epidemiological and clinical studies have established that high LDL-C and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are both associated with coronary heart disease. However, the risk of developing coronary heart disease is continuous and graded over the range of cholesterol levels and many coronary events do occur in patients with total cholesterol (total-C) and LDL-C in the lower end of this range.
Lovastatin has been shown to reduce both normal and elevated LDL-C concentrations. LDL is formed from very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and is catabolized predominantly by the high affinity LDL receptor. The mechanism of the LDL-lowering effect of lovastatin may involve both reduction of VLDL-C concentration, and induction of the LDL receptor, leading to reduced production and/or increased catabolism of LDL-C. Apolipoprotein B also falls substantially during treatment with lovastatin. Since each LDL particle contains one molecule of apolipoprotein B, and since little apolipoprotein B is found in other lipoproteins, this strongly suggests that lovastatin does not merely cause cholesterol to be lost from LDL, but also reduces the concentration of circulating LDL particles. In addition, lovastatin can produce increases of variable magnitude in HDL-C, and modestly reduces VLDL-C and plasma triglycerides (TG) (see TABLES II–IV under Clinical Studies in Adults). The effects of lovastatin on Lp(a), fibrinogen, and certain other independent biochemical risk markers for coronary heart disease are unknown.
Lovastatin is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. The conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate is an early step in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
id: 1f42ad65-66cb-4c69-bf8f-050cb08f7648
displayName: INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34067-9
Therapy with lovastatin tablets should be a component of multiple risk factor intervention in those individuals with dyslipidemia at risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease. Lovastatin tablets should be used in addition to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol as part of a treatment strategy to lower total-C and LDL-C to target levels when the response to diet and other nonpharmacological measures alone has been inadequate to reduce risk.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
id: 1037560d-cda5-4095-9503-684b2bee286e
displayName: CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34070-3
Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication.
Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases (see WARNINGS).
Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone) (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis).
ADVERSE REACTIONS
id: c5cf4ef0-a621-4eb8-a977-2cf89f35c510
displayName: ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34084-4
Lovastatin is generally well tolerated; adverse reactions usually have been mild and transient.
OVERDOSAGE
id: 25b8c756-f959-40b2-abe3-6ff92538608f
displayName: OVERDOSAGE SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34088-5
After oral administration of lovastatin to mice, the median lethal dose observed was > 15 g/m2.
Five healthy human volunteers have received up to 200 mg of lovastatin as a single dose without clinically significant adverse experiences. A few cases of accidental overdosage have been reported; no patients had any specific symptoms, and all patients recovered without sequelae. The maximum dose taken was 5 to 6 g.
Until further experience is obtained, no specific treatment of overdosage with lovastatin can be recommended.
The dialyzability of lovastatin and its metabolites in man is not known at present.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
id: 780ea532-e7ff-4ff4-9f70-bf8cd8ce153a
displayName: DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34068-7
The patient should be placed on a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before receiving lovastatin and should continue on this diet during treatment with lovastatin (see NCEP Treatment Guidelines for details on dietary therapy). Lovastatin should be given with meals.
HOW SUPPLIED
id: 33f236da-f0a9-4060-b2d6-9b474425b016
displayName: HOW SUPPLIED SECTION
FDA Article Code: 34069-5
Lovastatin tablets USP, 10 mg are available as light peach, round, flat beveled tablets debossed “926” on one side and “TEVA” on the other side. Packaged in bottles of 60 and 1000 and in unit-dose boxes of 100 (10 x 10s).
Lovastatin tablets USP, 20 mg are available as light blue, round, flat beveled tablets, debossed “576” on one side and “TEVA” on the other side. Packaged in bottles of 60 and 1000 and in unit-dose boxes of 100 (10 x 10s).
Lovastatin tablets USP, 40 mg are available as light green, round, flat beveled tablets, debossed “928” on one side and “TEVA” on the other side. Packaged in bottles of 60 and 1000 and in unit-dose boxes of 100 (10 x 10s).
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Lovastatin tablets must be protected from light.
Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required).
Manufactured In Croatia By:
PLIVA HRVATSKA d.o.o.
Zagreb, Croatia
Manufactured For:
TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA
Sellersville, PA 18960
Rev. O 2/2012
Principal Display Panel
id: 9b061452-83ef-469e-8613-18ba5c0c0818
displayName: PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
FDA Article Code: 51945-4
Lovastatin Tablets USP
20 mg
10 Tablets
