Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my lovastatin

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your lovastatin using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for lovastatin, Canadian Prescription Savings for lovastatin, lovastatin Drug Coupons, lovastatin Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is lovastatin available in?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin is available as 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is lovastatin used for?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin is a statin that is used to:  Lower “bad” cholesterol levels Prevention of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack) in people at risk for heart disease

Question 4

How does lovastatin work?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin is a statin. It works by blocking a protein in your liver that makes cholesterol. This lowers the amount of “bad” cholesterol (called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in your blood. This medication might also help raise your “good” cholesterol (called high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) levels and lower your triglyceride levels. As a result, lovastatin helps lower the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Question 5

How do I take lovastatin?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin is typically started at 20 mg by mouth once a day with dinner. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day, which can be split into two smaller doses during the day. For children ages 10 to under 18 years: The typical dose ranges from 10 mg to 40 mg by mouth per day. During treatment, your provider might change your dose depending on your cholesterol levels, your kidney function, any side effects you have, and the other medications you’re taking (if they interact with lovastatin).

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take lovastatin?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases, are taking a strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone), or are pregnant.

Question 7

lovastatin Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of lovastatin:  Gas Constipation Nausea Stomach pain Muscle pain Headache

Question 8

lovastatin Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with lovastatin. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis): dark brown urine, severe muscle weakness or pain, fever, tiredness Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, swelling of your stomach, dark or brown urine, confusion

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on lovastatin

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with lovastatin:  Gemfibrozil: The combined use of lovastatin with lovastatin should be avoided Other lipid-lowering drugs (other fibrates or ≥1 g/day of niacin): Caution should be used when prescribing other fibrates or lipid-lowering doses (≥1 g/day) of niacin with lovastatin, as these agents can cause myopathy when given alone Cyclosporine: The use of lovastatin with cyclosporine should be avoided Danazol, diltiazem or verapamil with higher doses of lovastatin: The dose of lovastatin should not exceed 20 mg daily in patients receiving concomitant medication with danazol, diltiazem, or verapamil Amiodarone: The dose of lovastatin should not exceed 40 mg daily in patients receiving concomitant medication with amiodarone. The combined use of lovastatin at doses higher than 40 mg daily with amiodarone should be avoided unless the clinical benefit is likely to outweigh the increased risk of myopathy Colchicine: Cases of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, have been reported with lovastatin coadministered with colchicine, and caution should be exercised when prescribing lovastatin with colchicine Ranolazine: The risk of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, may be increased by concomitant administration of ranolazine. Dose adjustment of lovastatin may be considered during coadministration with ranolazine

Question 10

Who makes lovastatin?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is lovastatin safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

lovastatin may cause harm to your unborn baby. Discontinue lovastatin when pregnancy is recognized.

Question 12

What is the brand name for lovastatin?

Accepted Answer

MEVACOR

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my lovastatin prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your lovastatin prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient lovastatin savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient lovastatin savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for lovastatin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for lovastatin	lovastatin Drug Coupon*	lovastatin Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of lovastatin?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for lovastatin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for lovastatin	lovastatin Drug Coupon*	lovastatin Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the lovastatin savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the lovastatin drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for lovastatin, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the lovastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, lovastatin is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed lovastatin for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the lovastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the lovastatin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for lovastatin

If you are having trouble paying for your lovastatin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for lovastatin you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
lovastatin is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers lovastatin
If lovastatin is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for lovastatin

If you are having trouble paying for your lovastatin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for lovastatin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers lovastatin
If lovastatin is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for lovastatin

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your lovastatin treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for lovastatin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for lovastatin
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.