Lipvas is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it
along with a special diet if your blood cholesterol or triglyceride
level is high and you have been unable to lower your readings by diet
alone. The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability
to form new LDL cholesterol.
Your doctor may prescribe Lipvas to reduce your chances of having
a heart attack or developing heart disease if you have any of the following
risk factors:
* Are age 55 years or older
* Smoke
* Have high blood pressure
* Have low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein--the good cholesterol)
* Have a family history of early heart disease
For people at high risk of heart disease, the doctor may suggest a
cholesterol-lowering medication if LDL readings are 130 or more. For
those at low risk, a medication is considered at readings of 190 or
more.
Most important fact about Lipvas
Lipvas is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss
fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important
to remember that Lipvas is a supplement--not a substitute--for those
other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need
to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor.
All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important
because they may lower your risk of heart disease. How should you take Lipvas?
Lipvas should be taken once a day, with or without food. You can take
it in the morning or the evening, but should hold to the same time
each day. The drug generally begins working within 2 weeks.
For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe
Lipvas along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as Questran
or Colestid. It's important to avoid taking the two drugs at the same
time of day. Take Lipvas at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after the
other drug.
If you miss a dose...
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
