This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
Or click here for clinical trials research information on lescol.
Lescol Consumer Information
LESCOL
Generic Name: fluvastatin (FLEW va stah tin)
Brand Names: Lescol, Lescol XL
What is the most important information I should know about fluvastatin?
- Do not take fluvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Alcohol and fluvastatin can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if fluvastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
- Do not take fluvastatin if you are pregnant, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, flulike symptoms, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
What is fluvastatin?
- Fluvastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
- Fluvastatin is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol in your blood. Fluvastatin also reduces the amounts of triglycerides (another type of fat) and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
- Fluvastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take fluvastatin?
- Do not take fluvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Before taking fluvastatin, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease,
- drink alcoholic beverages,
- have a chronic muscular disease, or
- have a blood disorder.
- You may not be able to take fluvastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Fluvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that fluvastatin will cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important for the proper development of a baby. Do not take fluvastatin if you are pregnant or if you are planning a pregnancy.
- Fluvastatin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take fluvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
- Fluvastatin has not been approved for use by children younger than 18 years of age.
How should I take fluvastatin?
- Take fluvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- For the greatest effect, fluvastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. Fluvastatin may also be taken twice daily. Follow your doctor's directions.
- Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablets (Lescol XL). Swallow them whole.
- Your doctor will probably want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with fluvastatin and at twelve weeks after both the start of your treatment and any increase in dose. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from fluvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
- Do not stop taking fluvastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects are seen from fluvastatin.
- Store fluvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a fluvastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.
What should I avoid while taking fluvastatin?
- Alcohol and fluvastatin can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if fluvastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.