Alternative Medicine Blog

Altocor is an extended-release form of the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. Altocor is prescribed to slow the clogging process in people who already have heart disease.

Altocor reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Altocor Dosage *For adults, the usual starting dose is 20 to 60 milligrams, and you should be taken once a day at bedtime. *If you are taking cyclosporine and Altocor, then the usual starting dose is 10 milligrams.

Uses of Altocor *Altocor is used to lowering the cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. *It may also be used to treats other medical conditions those are listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Altocor

Side effects are rare. Minor side effects include:

* Constipation * Diarrhea * Gas * Heartburn * Headache * Insomnia.

Major side effects include

* Abdominal pain or cramps * Blurred vision * Dizziness * Itching * Muscle pain or cramps * Rash * Yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Warnings and precautions before taking Altocor :

*In rare cases, drugs such as Altocor cause rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition that destroys muscle cells and sometimes causes kidney failure. Alert your doctor immediately if you experience any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. You'll probably need to give up Altocor therapy. *If you have a history of liver disease, then you should be used this medicine with extra caution. *If you have surgery or a major illness, then you should not stop taking Altocor without talking with your doctor. *After taken this medicine, then you may feel dizzy, or drowsiness. So you should not participate in any activities that require alertness such as driving and operate machinery. Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking Altocor with certain other drugs, then the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Altocor with the following:

*Antipyrine *Blood-thinning drugs *Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) *Erythromycin *Gemfibrozil (Lopid) *HIV protease inhibitors such as Agenerase, Norvir, and Viracept *Itraconazole (Sporanox) *Ketoconazole (Nizoral) *Spironolactone *Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

Overdose

Although there is no specific information available about Altocor overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Altocor, seek medical attention immediately.

There is no specific information available about Altocor overdose. But after taken Altocor if you feel that overdose is suspected, then you should contact with your doctor immediately. Because it may lead to another serious effect.

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