Altoprev, long-acting mevacor, is a statin. All major medical organizations suggest considering drugs in the statin family - not just Altoprev - to reduce the chance of a first heart attack or stroke in adults at increased risk. FDA officially approved Altoprev to reduce the chance of having a heart attack, threatened heart attack (unstable angina) and procedures to unblock arteries in the heart in people without heart disease or a stroke with at least 1 risk factor: low levels of "good cholesterol" (HDL), high blood pressure, family history of heart attack at a young age, smoking or diabetes. FDA also approved Altoprev to lower LDL "bad" cholesterol, raise HDL "good" cholesterol, and lower triglycerides in adults with abnormal cholesterol levels from a genetic condition.
The American Heart Association suggests people consider a statin if their chance of heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years is more than 5%, and to take one if the chance is 7.5% or more. You can calculate your risk at: http://tinyurl.com/pyv57ne.
Long track record means that new‚ unexpected side effects are unlikely. Altoprev was approved by FDA in 2002. Since Altoprev has now been used by large numbers of people over a long time‚ the emergence of important side effects is less likely than with new drugs.
Such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, boceprevir, telaprevir, and nefazodone
Including people who have unexplained high liver inflammation blood tests
Altoprev may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking Altoprev
Because experience with Altoprev in children is limited (no study had people under age 20), it is not recommended for children
Do not take: Controlled human studies show Altoprev harms baby and potential benefits do not outweigh potential harms (FDA Category X)
Do not breastfeed - Altoprev may get into breast milk and harm baby
