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

  What are Lescol side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Lescol may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Lescol as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Lescol

  The side effects of Lescol may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Lescol. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Lescol may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Lescol, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Lescol.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Lescol, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Lescol and the side effects associated with Lescol are described in the following:

  Common Lescol Side Effects

  Severe

  • myalgias

  Less Severe

  • Upper Respiratory Infection
  • dyspepsia
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • skin rash
  • headache disorder
  • nausea
  • heartburn
  • diarrhea
  • Acute Abdominal Pain
  • infection

  Less Frequent Lescol Side Effects

  Severe

  • atrial fibrillation

  Less Severe

  • Sinusitis
  • arthritis
  • arthralgias
  • fatigue
  • palpitations
  • flatulence
  • back pain
  • flu-like symptoms
  • gastritis
  • Eczema

  Rare or Very Rare Lescol Side Effects

  Severe

  • purpura
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • myopathy
  • cataracts
  • vasculitis
  • Ophthalmoplegia
  • bronchitis
  • hepatic failure
  • hepatitis
  • obstructive hyperbilirubinemia
  • Pancreatitis
  • urinary tract infection
  • Erythema Multiforme
  • toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • lupus-like syndrome
  • rhabdomyolysis
  • myositis
  • dyspnea
  • chest pain
  • abnormal hepatic function tests
  • angioedema
  • urticaria
  • Interstitial Lung Disease
  • immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy
  • dermatomyositis
  • Jaundice
  • Anaphylaxis
  • polymyositis
  • hemolytic anemia
  • hepatic necrosis
  • bullous dermatitis
  • polymyalgia rheumatica
  • eosinophilia
  • anemia
  • diabetes mellitus

  Less Severe

  • symptoms of anxiety
  • libido changes
  • depression
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • blurred vision
  • Rhinitis
  • xerostomia
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • gynecomastia
  • pruritus of skin
  • alopecia
  • cramps
  • memory impairment
  • insomnia
  • general weakness
  • tremor
  • dysgeusia
  • paresthesia
  • anorexia
  • cough
  • vomiting
  • edema
  • fever
  • flushing
  • skin photosensitivity
  • acute confusion
  • dry skin
  • dyschromia
  • skin nodules
  • hyperglycemia
  • dysuria
  • increased urinary frequency
  • nocturia
  • muscle spasm
  • muscle weakness
  • Facial Palsy
  • vertigo
  • hypesthesia
  • Dysesthesia
  • malaise

• 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.