Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Lovastatin
See also HMG coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors
General information
The adverse events profile of lovastatin in 8245 patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia has been evaluated in a double-blind, diet- and placebo-controlled trial [ ]. The difference between lovastatin and placebo in the incidence of adverse events that required discontinuation was small, ranging from 1.2% at 20 mg bd to 1.9% at 80 mg/day. Among a variety of symptoms, only constipation differed significantly between drug and placebo, with a slightly higher frequency in the treated group. The treated patients also gained on average 0.4 kg more weight than controls. Deaths were few. Lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis can occur [ ], even in the absence of other drug therapy [ ].
Organs and systems
Psychological
In a double-blind study, 209 healthy adults were randomized to placebo or lovastatin 20 mg/day for 6 months [ ]. Placebo-treated subjects improved between baseline and post-treatment periods on neuropsychological tests in all performance domains (neuropsychological performance, depression, hostility, and quality of life), consistent with the effects of practice on test performance, whereas those treated with lovastatin improved only on tests of memory recall. Comparisons of the changes in performance between placebo and lovastatin showed small but significant differences for tests of attention and psychomotor speed, and were consistent with greater improvement with placebo. Psychological well-being was not affected by lovastatin. The authors concluded that treatment of hypercholesterolemia with lovastatin did not cause psychological distress or substantially alter cognitive function. However, treatment did result in slight impairment of performance in neuropsychological tests of attention and psychomotor speed, the clinical importance of which is uncertain.
Skin
Ichthyosiform eruptions on the abdomen and back occurred in a Korean patient after 3 months of lovastatin therapy; they disappeared on withdrawal [ ]. Similar lesions occurred in a 54-year-old Chinese man [ ].
Reproductive system
Hypospermia has been reported in a patient taking lovastatin [ ].
You're Reading a Preview
Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles
If you are a member. Log in here