Brand name : Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
Pronounced: LESS-cahl
Generic name: Fluvastatin sodium
Why is Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) prescribed?
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol--and increases "good" HDL
cholesterol--in the blood, and can lower your chances of developing
clogged arteries and heart disease. It is also prescribed to slow the
accumulation of plaque in the arteries of people who already have coronary
heart disease, and may be prescribed for you when you are released
from the hospital after a heart attack.
Also, if you have coronary heart disease you may be prescribed Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
to reduce the risk of undergoing coronary revascularization procedures
(angioplasty, bypass surgery, or stent insertion).
Your doctor will prescribe Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) only if you have been unable to
reduce your blood cholesterol level sufficiently with a low-fat, low-cholesterol
diet alone. For people at high risk of heart disease, current guidelines
call for considering drug therapy when LDL levels reach 130. For people
at lower risk, the cut-off is 160. For those at little or no risk,
it's 190.
Most important fact about Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss
fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important
to remember that Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) is a supplement--not a substitute--for those
other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need
to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor.
All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important
because together they may lower your risk of heart disease.
How should you take Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) without a prescriptions ?
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) is available in standard capsules and extended-release tablets
(Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) XL).
If you are taking standard Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) capsules and you've been prescribed
a small, single dose per day, take it at bedtime. A large dosage (80
milligrams) may be divided into 2 smaller doses and taken twice a day.
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) XL tablets should be taken once a day at bedtime. The tablets
should be swallowed whole, never crushed or chewed. You may take Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
with or without food.
--If you miss a dose...
If you miss a dose of Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ), take it as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and
go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Protect from
direct light and excessive heat.
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ).
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, accidental injury, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, headache, indigestion,
joint diseases, muscle pain, nasal inflammation, nausea
This side effects list is not complete. If you have any questions
about side effects you should consult your doctor. Report any new or
continuing symptoms to your doctor right away.
Why should Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) not be prescribed?
Do not take Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) while pregnant or nursing. Also avoid Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) if
you are experiencing liver problems, or if you have ever been found
to be excessively sensitive to it. A variety of conditions that raise
cholesterol levels should be ruled out before you turn to Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) therapy.
These problems include diabetes, kidney disease, poor thyroid function,
liver disease, and alcoholism.
Special warnings about Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
Because Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) may damage the liver, your doctor may order a blood
test to check your liver enzyme levels before you start taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ).
Blood tests will probably be done 12 weeks after you start Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) therapy,
whenever your dose is increased, and periodically after that. If your
liver enzymes rise too high, your doctor may tell you to stop taking
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ). Your doctor will monitor you especially closely if you have
ever had liver disease or if you are, or have ever been, a heavy drinker.
Since Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) may cause damage to muscle tissue, be sure to tell your
doctor of any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness right
away, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. Your doctor
may want to do a blood test to check for signs of muscle damage. If
your blood test shows signs of muscle damage, your doctor may suggest
discontinuing Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ).
If your risk of muscle and/or kidney damage suddenly increases because
of major surgery or injury, or conditions such as low blood pressure,
severe infection, or seizures, your doctor may tell you to stop taking
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) for a while.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
If you take Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) with certain drugs, the effects of either could
be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to
check with your doctor before combining Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) with the following:
Cholestyramine (Questran)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S.)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Glyburide (Micronase)
Niacin (Niaspan)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
You must not become pregnant while taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ). This medication
lowers cholesterol, and cholesterol is needed for a baby to develop
properly. Because of the possible risk of birth defects, your doctor
will prescribe Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) only if you are highly unlikely to get pregnant
while taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ). If you do become pregnant while taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ),
stop taking the drug and notify your doctor right away.
Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) does appear in breast milk. Therefore, Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) could cause severe
side effects in a nursing baby. Do not take Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ) while breastfeeding
your baby.
Recommended dosage for Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin )
Your doctor will put you on a cholesterol-lowering diet before starting
treatment with Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ). You should continue on this diet while you are
taking Lescol XL ( Fluvastatin ).
