Altocor

What is Altocor?

Altocor is a medication to lower cholesterol that blocks the creation of cholesterol (a kind of fat) within the body.Altocor reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as well as total cholesterol levels in the blood. A reduction in cholesterol levels can prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries. conditions that can cause stroke, heart attack, and vascular diseases.Altocor can also be used for additional uses that are not mentioned in this guideline.

Warnings

In rare instances, Altocor can cause a condition that leads to the destruction of skeletal muscle tissue. This can result in kidney failure. Contact your physician immediately when you experience unresolved muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness in your muscles, as well as flu or fever-related symptoms or dark urine.This medication may result in birth defects for the unborn baby. Don't use it when you are pregnant. Make sure you are using a reliable method of birth control and inform your physician if you are pregnant while taking treatment. Don't use Altocor in the event that you suffer from liver disease or are breastfeeding.Before you take Altocor, consult your physician about whether you suffer from an underactive thyroid, diabetes, kidney disease, muscular disorder, or blood disorder.Do not eat foods high in cholesterol or fat. Altocor is not very effective when it comes to lowering cholesterol if it is not followed by a diet that reduces cholesterol.Beware of drinking alcohol when taking Altocor. Drinking alcohol can increase the levels of triglycerides and can also harm your liver when you're taking Altocor.There are a variety of other medications that may interfere with Altocor. Inform your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking. This includes minerals, vitamins, or herbal supplements, as well as medications prescribed by doctors. Do not begin taking any new medication without first talking to your physician.

Details on dosage

Don't use Altocor in the event that you are allergic to lovastatin, are breastfeeding, pregnant, or have liver disease.

Before you take Altocor, consult your physician about whether you're sensitive to any medication or:

• Diabetes;
• Thyroid that is not active;
• Kidney disease
• A muscle disorder.

If you suffer from one of these conditions, you could require a dose adjustment or tests that are specific to taking Altocor.FDA pregnant category"X. Altocor can cause birth defects. Avoid using this medication when you are pregnant. Contact your physician immediately when you fall pregnant during treatment. Make sure you are using a safe form of birth control when you're using this drug. It is unclear if it is passed into the milk of your baby. Don't use Altocor without consulting your doctor if you are breastfeeding babies. Altocor is not recommended for children under 10 years old.

How to take Altocor?

You should take Altocor exactly as recommended for you. Don't take the medicine in large amounts or for longer than prescribed by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.Take Altocor with an entire bottle of drinking water. Don't crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Inhale the tablet completely. It's designed to slowly release medication into the body. Opening or breaking the pill will cause too much of the drug to release all at once. Altocor is typically taken before sleeping or in conjunction with dinner. If you are taking Altocor frequently throughout the day, you should take it along with your meals. Follow your doctor's prescriptions.To ensure that this medication is beneficial to your condition, it is essential that your blood be checked regularly. The function of your liver may require testing. Don't miss any scheduled appointments.In rare instances, Altocor can cause a condition that causes the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition could lead to kidney failure. Contact your physician immediately when you experience unresolved tenderness or pain in your muscles and muscle weakness, as well as flu or fever-related symptoms or dark urine.Altocor is only one component of a full programme of treatment that incorporates exercise, diet, and weight management. Be sure to follow your diet, medication, and exercise regimens carefully.You might require Altocor in the long term to treat high cholesterol.Keep Altocor at room temperature, and keep it away from heat, humidity, and light.

What happens if I miss the dose?

You should take the dose you missed as quickly as you can remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, take the missed dose and only the next scheduled dose. Don't take any additional medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention immediately. If you believe you've consumed excessive amounts of this medication,An excessive dose of Altocor isn't likely to cause life-threatening effects.

What should be avoided?

Do not eat foods high in cholesterol or fat. Altocor is not as effective at reducing your cholesterol if you don't follow a diet that reduces cholesterol.Beware of drinking alcohol when taking Altocor. Drinking alcohol can increase the levels of triglycerides and can also harm the liver while taking Altocor.Grapefruit and grapefruit juice could react with Altocor and cause harmful adverse effects. Talk about the use of products made from grapefruit with your physician. Don't increase or reduce the quantity of grapefruit products you consume without consulting your physician.

Side effects of Altocor

Seek medical attention immediately in the event that you exhibit any of the following symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as symptoms of hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. Stop taking Altocor and contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• Tenderness, muscle pain or weakness accompanied by symptoms of flu or fever, and dark-coloured urine.

The less serious side effects could be:

• Mild stomach pain, gas, bloating, stomach upset, and heartburn;
• Nausea;
• Constipation

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Inform your physician about any unusual or uncomfortable side effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Numerous drugs may interfere with Altocor. Here is a brief list. Inform your doctor if you are taking:

• Choestyramine (Questran) as well as colestipol (Colestid);
• Danazol (Danocrine);
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Clofibrate (Atromid-S), or Fenofibrate (Tricor);
• Niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, and others);
• Nefazodone (Serzone);
• Amiodarone (Cordarone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), or verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin);
• Medications that weaken your immune system, such as steroids or cancer medicine, or cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf), sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), and more;
• An antidepressant, such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac) or fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), the drug nefazodone (Serzone), and paraxetine (Paxil);
• Erythromycin (E-Mycin Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin) and telithromycin (Ketek);
• Antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• A blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin)
• HIV or AIDS medicines like the drug nelfinavir (Viracept) or Ritonavir (Norvir)

This is not a complete list, and there could be additional medications that are incompatible with Altocor. Discuss with your doctor the various prescription and non-prescription medicines you take. This includes minerals, vitamins, and herbal supplements, as well as medications prescribed by doctors. Do not begin taking a new drug without consulting your physician.