In this article we will be bewitching a look at the possible side effects and drug interactions of the cholesterol lowering drug Mevacor, conceivably greater recognized since lovastatin. Mevacor is what is known owing to a HMG - CoA reductase inhibitor named adjacent the enzyme tied for prompting the liver to produce cholesterol. Once the HMG - CoA reductase inhibitor is blocked the liver produces very little, if unit cholesterol. Now the liver is free to withdraw further rosy cholesterol from the body which in turn lowers LDL ( bad cholesterol ) levels and other russet lipids. Shift admirable in theory recent revelations about Mevacor side effects have lead sundry people to look for natural alternatives.
So what is the big fuss?
Until 1997 there was very little evidence to suggest that there were any serious Mevacor side effects. Of course there were the standard mild side effects constipation, headache, nausea, flatulence, and occasional insomnia but most medical professionals were will to accept this cast of characters in return for the 40 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol over a short period of time, but then came the Baycol disaster.
Baycol was another one of the family of HMG - CoA inhibitors but for some reason things went terribly wrong, and before all was said and done there were at least 31 deaths and over 3000 lawsuits settled out of court. The problem with this particular drugs was it worked too well. In other words it dropped cholesterol levels so dramatically that muscle tissue and cells started to die flooding the blood stream with waste cells, ultimately clogging the small passages of the kidneys. The condition is called rhabdomyolysis and it can be caused, in rare instances, by other statin medications as well.
Lets take a moment to list the Mevacor side effects listed on the official site: yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue, trouble passing urine, redness of the skin, blistering of the skin, muscle cramps, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, dark urine skin rash, swelling of the face and lips, swelling of the tongue, itching, and hives.
Mevacor side effects possible interactions
Do not take this drug with: clarithromycin, delavirdine, erythromycin, grapefruit juice, herbal medications like red yeast rice, protease inhibitors used to treat HIV infection, medicines for fungal infections, mibefradil, nefazodone, other medications for high cholesterol, telithromycin, and troleandomycin. What is really amazing is that this only a partial list with Mevacor side effects being possible with 15 additional supplements and medications including warfarin and St. Johns wort. There are other label warnings as well so if your doctor suggests this medication be sure and discuss the possible Mevacor side effects and interactions before taking the plunge.
What Next? Lowering cholesterol, in most cases, is about changing old habits, adopting new healthier habits, and enlisting the help of convention medications such as statins or natural cholesterol reducing remedies if needed. Put simply, this basically means finding ways to increase HDL ( good cholesterol ) and decrease LDL ( bad cholesterol levels ), and bring overall cholesterol down to acceptable heart healthy levels. Certainly the aforementioned statin drugs will be one of your options but they do carry a number of serious label warnings as we now know. The side effect risks have made natural cholesterol reduction supplements combined with diet modification a safe and effective alternative combination worth considering.
