Altoprev Dosage
Generic name: lovastatin
Dosage form: tablet, extended release
This dosage information does not include all the information needed to use Altoprev safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for Altoprev.
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The patient should be placed on a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before receiving ALTOPREV® and should continue on this diet during treatment with ALTOPREV® (see NCEP Treatment Guidelines for details on dietary therapy).
The usual recommended starting dose is 20, 40, or 60 mg once a day given in the evening at bedtime. The recommended dosing range is 20-60 mg/day, in single doses. Doses should be individualized according to the recommended goal of therapy (see NCEP Guidelines and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). For patients requiring smaller reductions in cholesterol levels, ALTOPREV® is not recommended; immediate-release lovastatin could be considered. Adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more. See below for dosage recommendations in special populations (i.e., elderly patients, or patients with complicated medical conditions or renal insufficiency) or for patients receiving concomitant therapy (i.e. cyclosporine, amiodarone, verapamil, fibrates or niacin).
Cholesterol levels should be monitored periodically and consideration should be given to reducing the dosage of ALTOPREV® if cholesterol levels fall significantly below targeted range.
Elderly Patients or Patients with Complicated Medical Conditions
The usual recommended starting dose in elderly patients (age≥65 years) or patients with complicated medical conditions (renal insufficiency, diabetes) is 20 mg once a day given in the evening at bedtime. Higher doses should be used only after careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits (See NCEP Guidelines and WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis). For patients requiring smaller reductions in cholesterol levels, ALTOPREV® is not recommended; immediate-release lovastatin could be considered. (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis.
Dosage in Patients Taking Cyclosporine
Patients taking cyclosporine should not begin therapy with ALTOPREV® (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis); immediate-release lovastatin could be considered.
Dosage in Patients Taking Amiodarone or Verapamil
In patients taking amiodarone or verapamil concomitantly with ALTOPREV®, the dose should not exceed 20 mg/day (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis and PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions, Other Drug Interactions).
Concomitant Lipid-Lowering Therapy
Use of ALTOPREV® with fibrates or niacin should generally be avoided. However, if ALTOPREV® is used in combination with gemfibrozil, other fibrates, or lipid-lowering doses (≥ 1 g/day) of niacin, the dose of ALTOPREV® should not exceed 20 mg (see WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis and PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions).
Dosage in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
In patients with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min), dosage increases above 20 mg/day should be carefully considered and, if deemed necessary, implemented cautiously (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and WARNINGS, Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis).
