Mevacor (Lovastatin)

Mevacor is a brand name of a drug called Lovastatin.  There are many other brand names under which the same drug is known, some examples of these are; Lipivas, Lovalip Mevinacor, Nergadan, Rovacor and Taucor.

Lovastatin has an empirical formula of  C₂₄H₃₆O₅.  Its formal Chemical name, as defined by IUPAC, is as follows:

 (1S-(1alpha(R), 3alpha, 7beta, 8beta(2S, 4S), 8abeta))-(1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3, 7-dimethyl-8- (2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl) ethyl)-1-naphthyl) 2-methylbutanoate.

It is a white, crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and sparingly so in ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile and DMSO.

Mevacor is manufactured by MERCK + Co, INC.  Merck is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company.  It develops and manufactures a broad range of human and animal drugs.

Mevacor is a new type of medicine that lowers cholesterol.  Mevacor prevents the formation of LDL-cholesterol (low density lipoprotein).  High levels of LDL-cholesterol cause Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  This is the number one killer in the Western world.  Mevacor is known not only to slow down or stop but also to reverse the effects of Atherosclerosis. 

Mevacor is taken orally and comes in three varying strengths, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg.  The prices, for 60 tablets, are $71.50, $122.95, and $219.50 respectively.  The side effects observed from taking Mevacor are usually short lived.  Symptoms that may occur are inflammation of the liver, muscle inflammation, abdominal pain/ cramps, blurred vision, constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, heartburn, indigestion and nausea.

The relative Molecular Mass of the molecule is 404.5454.    C₂₄H₃₆O Exact Mass: 404.26 Mol. Wt.: 404.54 C, 71.26; H, 8.97; O, 19.77

HELEN WORTHINGTON St CATHERINES COLLEGE FEBRUARY 2000