Fluvastatin

Pronunciation: FLOO-va-STAT-in
Generic Name: Fluvastatin
Brand Name: Lescol

Fluvastatin is used for:

Lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides in certain patients. It also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol levels. It is used along with an appropriate diet. It is used in certain patients to slow blood vessel blockage and to reduce the need for medical procedures to open blocked heart blood vessels. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fluvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a "statin." It works by reducing the production of certain fatty substances in the body, including cholesterol.

Do NOT use Fluvastatin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluvastatin


• you have liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests


• you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fluvastatin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Fluvastatin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have low blood pressure, a serious infection, kidney problems, diabetes, or a history of seizures


• if you have metabolism, hormonal, or electrolyte problems


• if you drink alcohol or have a history of liver problems or alcohol abuse


• if you have recently had major surgery or a serious injury


• if you have a certain type of high cholesterol (homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluvastatin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole), colchicine, erythromycin, fibrates (eg, clofibrate, gemfibrozil), H₂ blockers (eg, ranitidine), immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), niacin, or omeprazole because they may increase the risk of muscle or kidney problems


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased


• Rifampin because it may decrease Fluvastatin's effectiveness


• Cimetidine, digoxin, glyburide, ketoconazole, phenytoin, or spironolactone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Fluvastatin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluvastatin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluvastatin:

Use Fluvastatin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Fluvastatin by mouth with or without food.


• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Fluvastatin.


• Continue to take Fluvastatin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Fluvastatin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluvastatin.

Important safety information:

• Fluvastatin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Fluvastatin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Drinking alcohol daily or in large amounts may increase the risk of liver problems with Fluvastatin. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while you are taking Fluvastatin.


• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Fluvastatin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Fluvastatin. Check with your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to your doctor right away, especially if you also have a fever or general body discomfort.


• Lab tests, including blood cholesterol levels and liver function tests, may be performed while you use Fluvastatin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Fluvastatin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 9 years old and in those who have been having a menstrual period for less than one year; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Fluvastatin if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Fluvastatin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Fluvastatin.

Possible side effects of Fluvastatin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Headache; stomach pain or upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; flu-like symptoms; joint pain; mental or mood changes; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever or fatigue); numbness or tingling of the skin, arm, or leg; painful or frequent urination; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe stomach pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Fluvastatin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Fluvastatin:

Store Fluvastatin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Fluvastatin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fluvastatin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Fluvastatin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fluvastatin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Fluvastatin resources

• Fluvastatin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Fluvastatin Dosage
• Fluvastatin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Fluvastatin Drug Interactions
• Fluvastatin Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Fluvastatin - Add your own review/rating

• Fluvastatin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• fluvastatin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Fluvastatin Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Lescol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Lescol Consumer Overview

Compare Fluvastatin with other medications

• High Cholesterol
• High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous
• Hyperlipoproteinemia
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb, Elevated LDL VLDL