MEVACOR
Used for High Cholesterol
NowPatient helps you obtain your MEVACOR prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
Start Saving Today!
Lower the cost of your MEVACOR prescription
Unavailable
N/AManufactured byN/APowered by
Canadian Prescription SavingsUnavailableUnavailable
Drug CouponsUnavailableUnavailable
Patient Assistance ProgramsUnavailable
MEVACOR key facts
What is MEVACOR?
MEVACOR is the brand name for lovastatin and is available as an oral tablet.
What dosages is MEVACOR available in?
MEVACOR is available as 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg oral tablet.
What is MEVACOR used for?
MEVACOR 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
How does MEVACOR work?
MEVACOR 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.
How do I take MEVACOR?
MEVACOR 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).
Is it safe for me to take MEVACOR?
MEVACOR 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.
MEVACOR Common Side Effects
Common side effects of MEVACOR:
- Gas
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Muscle pain
- Headache
MEVACOR Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with MEVACOR. 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
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on MEVACOR
The following medications may interact with MEVACOR:
- Gemfibrozil: The combined use of lovastatin with MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR, as these agents can cause myopathy when given alone
- Cyclosporine: The use of MEVACOR with cyclosporine should be avoided
- Danazol, diltiazem or verapamil with higher doses of MEVACOR: The dose of MEVACOR should not exceed 20 mg daily in patients receiving concomitant medication with danazol, diltiazem, or verapamil
- Amiodarone: The dose of MEVACOR should not exceed 40 mg daily in patients receiving concomitant medication with amiodarone. The combined use of MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR may be considered during coadministration with ranolazine
Who makes MEVACOR?
Merck & Co., Inc.
Is MEVACOR safe in pregnancy?
MEVACOR may cause harm to your unborn baby. Discontinue MEVACOR when pregnancy is recognized.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my MEVACOR prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your MEVACOR prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient MEVACOR savings programs work?
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.
Are the NowPatient MEVACOR savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
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 MEVACOR | Canadian Prescription Savings* for MEVACOR | MEVACOR Drug Coupon* | MEVACOR 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.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of MEVACOR?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for MEVACOR | Canadian Prescription Savings* for MEVACOR | MEVACOR Drug Coupon* | MEVACOR 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.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the MEVACOR savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR, 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).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the MEVACOR prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the MEVACOR prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can 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, 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.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the MEVACOR 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?
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 MEVACOR
If you are having trouble paying for your MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR
- If MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR
If you are having trouble paying for your MEVACOR medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR
- If MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR
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 MEVACOR 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 MEVACOR you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for MEVACOR
- 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.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Can I Trust NowPatient
Our product and services are certified to international healthcare, medical device and data security standards
WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT
We are committed to helping everyone, everywhere live healthier lives
The NowPatient virtual care platform provides you with access to trusted health information, affordable treatments, management of chronic health conditions and continuous monitoring for health risks. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.
Download our app today
