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Can Lovastatin Be Taken Instead Of Welchol For Reducing High Cholesterol?
My father-in-law has taken for several years Welchol Tab 625mg - 3, 2x per day to reduce high cholesterol. His new doctor just prescribed a new drug, Lovastatin Tab 20 mg 1 x per day and discontinue Welchol. The doctor said his cholesterol was too high. My question, is this a good move? Statin drugs scare me... and I was not at the appointment when this change was made. He can t hear well and gets confused easily so didn t even realize he was changing meds. My father in law in 87 years old. Any comments?
Sat, 21 Apr 2018
Hello,
Yes, it may be taken instead of Welchol.
Welchol (Colesevelam) is a lipid-lowering drug used to lower "bad" cholesterol in the blood. Since it has to be taken twice daily and there are certain side effects like bloating sensation, flatulence, steatorrhea and decrease absorption of fat soluble vitamins. The treating doctor might have switched over to Lovastatin which is not known to cause those side effects.
However, Lovastatin may cause myopathy (muscle damage) resulting in muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, stomach upset and liver dysfunction.
It may be taken as prescribed. However, if he develops features suggestive of myopathy then he must stop taking Lovastatin.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
Yes, it may be taken instead of Welchol.
Welchol (Colesevelam) is a lipid-lowering drug used to lower "bad" cholesterol in the blood. Since it has to be taken twice daily and there are certain side effects like bloating sensation, flatulence, steatorrhea and decrease absorption of fat soluble vitamins. The treating doctor might have switched over to Lovastatin which is not known to cause those side effects.
However, Lovastatin may cause myopathy (muscle damage) resulting in muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, stomach upset and liver dysfunction.
It may be taken as prescribed. However, if he develops features suggestive of myopathy then he must stop taking Lovastatin.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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