Lescol ®XL

Fluvastatin Tablet Describe fluvastatin. Fluvastatin is used with a healthy diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), raise levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Fluvastatin is used to slow the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels. Plaque is made up of fatty deposits. Fluvastatin is also given to some people with coronary heart disease to lower the risk of heart problems. Fluvastatin is used by both adults and kids older than 10 years. Fluvastatin can also be used for other things that aren't in this guide. Warnings If you have liver disease or are breastfeeding, you shouldn't take fluvastatin. If you are pregnant or nursing, don't use. When taken with fluvastatin, some medicines can have side effects that aren't wanted or can even be dangerous. Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take. Before you take this drug, You shouldn't take fluvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you have active liver disease, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of liver disease. Do not use if you are pregnant. A baby in the womb can be hurt by fluvastatin. Use birth control that works to keep from getting pregnant. If you get pregnant, you should stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. If you are breastfeeding, you shouldn't take this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease, muscle pain or weakness, kidney disease, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, or if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Fluvastatin can cause a condition that causes skeletal muscle tissue to break down, which can lead to kidney failure. People with kidney disease or hypothyroidism that isn't well controlled may be more likely to get this condition (underactive thyroid). No one younger than 10 years old is allowed to take fluvastatin. What's the best way to take fluvastatin? Follow all of the directions on the label of your prescription, and read any guides or instruction sheets that come with it. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Follow the directions to the letter. You can take this medicine with or without food, with a full glass of water. Take the regular tablet or capsule at the same time(s) every day. You can take a tablet that lasts all day at any time. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how much to take. Do not crush, chew, break, or open the pill. Just swallow it as is. If you can't get the pill down, tell your doctor. You will need medical tests often. Your cholesterol levels may not get better for up to 4 weeks. Even if you feel fine, you should keep taking this medicine as directed. Usually, there are no signs of high cholesterol. Fluvastatin is just one part of a full treatment plan, which may also include diet, exercise, and controlling weight. Very carefully do what your doctor tells you to do. Keep at room temperature and out of the light, heat, and moisture. What will happen if I don't take a dose? Use the medicine as soon as you can, but don't take it if it's been more than 12 hours since you were supposed to. Don't take both doses at the same time. What should I stay away from while I'm on fluvastatin? If you eat foods that are high in fat or cholesterol, fluvastatin won't work as well. Avoid consuming alcohol. It can make you have more triglycerides and may make you more likely to hurt your liver. The side effects of fluvastatin If you have hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you may be having an allergic reaction. In rare cases, fluvastatin can lead to a condition that causes skeletal muscle tissue to break down, which can cause kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have pain, tenderness, or weakness in your muscles that you can't explain. This is especially true if you also have a fever, are unusually tired, or have dark urine. Also call your doctor right away if you have muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, or back; trouble lifting your arms; trouble climbing or standing; signs of a kidney problem, such as little or no urination or urination that is painful or hard; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath; or liver problems, such as upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, stools that look like clay, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Muscle pain, headaches, or stomach pain, nausea, or indigestion are some of the most common side effects. What other medications will interact with fluvastatin? If you take certain drugs along with fluvastatin, you may be more likely to have serious muscle problems. If you take gemfibrozil, fenofibric acid, fenofibrate, or medicines with niacin, your doctor may need to change your treatment plan (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others). Tell your doctor what medicines you're taking. Fluvastatin can change the way other drugs work, especially other cholesterol medicines, antibiotics or antifungal medicines, diabetes medicines, heart medicines, seizure medicines, and medicines to treat stomach acid or ulcers.