Altoprev

Introduction

Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on November 15, 2023

Lovastatin is a generic medication that’s prescribed for high cholesterol and heart disease. The brand-name version of this drug is Altoprev. The cost of lovastatin with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lovastatin oral tablet for:

• treating certain types of high cholesterol in adults and some children
• preventing heart disease in adults with high cholesterol by lowering the risks of angina, needing heart surgery, and heart attack
• slowing the narrowing of the arteries in adults with heart disease and high cholesterol

Read on to learn about lovastatin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about lovastatin, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of lovastatin

Like other medications, the cost of lovastatin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much lovastatin costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for lovastatin” section.

Coupons for lovastatin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of lovastatin. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for lovastatin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of lovastatin. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for lovastatin. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking lovastatin long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Lovastatin is a generic medication. The following forms are available:

• immediate-release* oral tablet: generic form; no brand-name version available
• extended-release† oral tablet: not available in generic form; available in brand-name version Altoprev

* Immediate-release tablets release all the medication into your body at once.
† Extended-release tablets release the medication into your body gradually over several hours.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Note that the brand-name version of lovastatin is not approved for use in children younger than age 18 years. It’s also available in different strengths compared to generic lovastatin.

If your doctor has prescribed lovastatin but you’re interested in taking Altoprev, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of lovastatin compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about lovastatin and cost

Here are some common questions about lovastatin and their answers.

Does lovastatin 20 mg cost more than lovastatin 10 mg?

No, it doesn’t necessarily cost more. The cost of lovastatin 10-milligram (mg) and 20-mg tablets is usually the same or similar. Your cost depends on various factors. These include the pharmacy you use and whether you get a 3-month supply.

To find out the cost of lovastatin’s dosage you’re prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about lovastatin

This article provides cost information related to lovastatin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for lovastatin.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• What are the hidden costs for lovastatin, such as the costs of blood tests needed to monitor treatment?
• Are there alternatives for treating my condition that cost less than lovastatin?
• What are my options if I can’t afford lovastatin?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Lovastatin tablet USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c37206ae-52f1-4192-9ab9-3044247cf58d/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.