Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

 Lovastatin belongs to statin class of drugs and is used for lowering cholesterol (hypolipidemic agent). Lovastatin is absorbed from GIT.   It under goes extensive first pass metabolism in liver which is it’s primary site of action.    It is highly bound to plasma protein.    Absorption is reduced by approxi 30% in empty stomach than with food. Lovastatin  is available under brand names like Mevacor, Advicor, Altocor , Altoprev and Statosan.

Lovastatin inhibits 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). It is the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate which is a required building block for cholesterol biosynthesis. Lovastatin effectively interferes with its production by acting as a competitive inhibitor for HMG-CoA which binds to the HMG-CoA reductase. Lovastatin, is inactive in the native form, the form in which it is administered. It  is hydrolysed to the β-hydroxy acid form in the body and it becomes active only in this form.

Lovastatin is eliminted primarily through fecal route which is the 83% of orally administered dose, 10% of drug is eliminated by renal route. Indication : As an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated total & LDL cholesterol in patients of primary hypercholesterolemia, for reduction of elevated  LDL cholesterol levels in patients with combined  hypercholesterolemia  and hypertriglyceridemia.

 Dosage : 10-80 mg/day in single or divided doses. Contraindications of Lovastatin include Hypersensitivity, Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum, transaminases, pregnancy & nursing. Special Precaution has to be taken during : Pregnancy & Lactation.

Side effects of Lovastatin are  : Flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, cramps, dyspepsia, heart burn,  dysgeusia,  myopathy,        myalgia, rhabdbmyolysis, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, rashes, impotence, insomnia.

Lovastatin  has Drug interactions  with Anticoagulants, coumarin-or indandione derivative, HMG-COA reductase inhibitors,   cyclosporine   erythromycin,   Gemfibrozil, immunosuppresants or niacin.

Fenofibrate is a lipid lowering drug possessing a prominent lowering action on serum triglycerides. It also reduces serum uric acid levels in hyperuicemic and normal individuals by increasing the urinary excretion of uric acid. Fenofibrate was discovered by France based Groupe Fournier SA which is presently owned by Solvay Pharmaceutical. It is available under brand name Lipanthyl.

Fenofibrate is used in the treatment of in the treatment of type lla, Mb, III, IV and V hyperlipidemia resistant to diet therapy. Fenofibrate is helpful in reducing serum triglyceride levels.  Dosage: One capsule of 200mg per day should be administered with food.

Contraindications:     Hepatic dysfunction, Preexisting gall bladder disease and Hypersensitivity.

Side effects of Fenofibrate include Digestive problems, hepatitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis,   hepatomegaly;   Musculoskeletal myalgia, myasthenia, rhabdomylosis; Skin and appendages : photosensitivity, eczema; Respiratory: allergic pulmonary alveolitis.