Type of medicine: HMG CoA reductase inhibitor; statin; antilipemic
Generic and brand names: fluvastatin, oral; Lescol; Lescol XL
This medicine is taken by mouth to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when diet and exercise alone have not lowered them enough. It may also be used to reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.
Your healthcare provider will explain why you are taking this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider for the length of time prescribed. Take it regularly at the same time every day. Do not change your dosage or stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is available in extended-release tablets and regular capsules. If you have extended-release tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.
You may take the tablets with or without food.
If you are also taking cholestyramine, take this medicine at least 4 hours after the cholestyramine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You need to follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and a regular exercise program to help reduce your cholesterol level. Follow your healthcare provider's directions.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 12 hours of the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
While you are taking this medicine, report any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your healthcare provider right away, especially if you also have a fever or unusual tiredness.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly while you are taking this medicine. You need blood tests to see if the medicine is working. You will also have liver function tests to see how the medicine may be affecting your liver. Keep all your appointments.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unusual tiredness; sudden weakness on one side of your body; sudden trouble walking or loss of balance; sudden or severe headache; yellowing of your skin or eyes; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain; dark urine or trouble urinating; pale stools; severe skin rash or itching.
Other: Mild nausea or stomach pain, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate, gas, heartburn, constipation, headache, dizziness, runny or stuffy nose, mild tiredness, trouble sleeping, depression, mild muscle or joint pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
