Drug Name

Lescol XL (fluvastatin)

Drug Uses

Fluvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Fluvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Fluvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Fluvastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How to use

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Fluvastatin is usually taken once or twice daily, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a fluvastatin tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the pill. You may need to stop using fluvastatin for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
• severely low blood pressure;
• a severe infection or illness; or
• surgery or a medical emergency.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Fluvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need to take fluvastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Fluvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Fluvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings/Precautions

You should not take fluvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• history of liver disease;
• history of kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, fluvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

• erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
• drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take fluvastatin if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking fluvastatin. Fluvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking fluvastatin.

Possible Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking fluvastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
• fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• mild muscle pain;
• diarrhea;
• mild nausea;
• stomach pain or indigestion;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

More Information

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluvastatin.