Lescol XL (fluvastatin)

Fluvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Fluvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Fluvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Fluvastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Fluvastatin is usually taken once or twice daily, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a fluvastatin tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the pill. You may need to stop using fluvastatin for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
• severely low blood pressure;
• a severe infection or illness; or
• surgery or a medical emergency.

Fluvastatin is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Fluvastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not take fluvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• history of liver disease;
• history of kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

• erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
• drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking fluvastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
• fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

• headache;
• mild muscle pain;
• diarrhea;
• mild nausea;
• stomach pain or indigestion;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluvastatin.