Lovastatin

Name: Lovastatin
Synonym: 1,2,3,7,8,8a-Hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenyl 2-methylbutanoate
CAS: 75330-75-5
Molecular Formula: C24H36O5
Molecular Weight: 404.54
Molecular Structure:
Botanical Source: Red yeast rice
Major Functions:
Lovastatin causes cholesterol to be lost from LDL, but also reduces the concentration of circulating LDL (low density lipoprotein) particles. Apo lipoprotein B concentration falls substantially during treatment with lovastatin. Levitation’s ability to lower LDL is thought to be due to a reduction in VLDL, which is a precursor to LDL. Also, Lovastatin may increase the number of LDL receptors on the surface of cell membranes, and thus increase the breakdown of LDL.
Lovastatin can also produce slight to moderate increases in HDL, and slight to moderate decreases in triglycerides. Both of these effects are typically beneficial to a patient with a poor lipid profile.
Both lovastatin and its b-hydroxyacid metabolite are highly bound (>95%) to human plasma proteins. Animal studies demonstrated that lovastatin crosses the blood-brain and placental barriers. Elderly patients or those with renal insufficiency may have higher plasma concentrations of lovastatin after administration and may require a lower dose. The usual recommended starting dose is 20 mg once a day given with the evening meal and the dose range is 10-80 mg a day in a single dose, or divided into two doses.