Lescol

Fluvastatin Sodium Drug Information

• Lescol Overview

  Fluvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help Lescol work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

• How to Use Lescol

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking fluvastatin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Lescol by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the evening. Some patients may be directed to take Lescol twice daily. Do not open the capsules. The Dosage of Lescol is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take fluvastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can react with fluvastatin, preventing its full absorption. Take Lescol regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time(s) each day. It is important to continue taking Lescol even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of Lescol.

• Lescol Precautions

  Before taking fluvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Lescol may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Lescol, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with fluvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Lescol, especially muscle problems. Lescol must not be used during pregnancy. Fluvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Lescol. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking Lescol. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Lescol passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Lescol is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Lescol Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Lescol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Lescol Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.colchicine, gemfibrozil, phenytoin. Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking fluvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking fluvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

• Lescol Side Effects

  Stomach upset may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed Lescol because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Lescol do not have serious side effects. A very small number of people taking fluvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor. Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. Lescol may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy).muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). Lescol may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects,yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting. A very serious allergic reaction to Lescol is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

  List of Fluvastatin Sodium side effects

• Lescol Storage

  Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Lescol when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.