Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: fluvastatin
BRAND NAME: Lescol
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fluvastatin is a cholesterol-
lowering
medicine. It inhibits the production of cholesterol by the
liver. It
lowers overall blood cholesterol as well as blood LDL
cholesterol levels.
LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad"
cholesterol that is
primarily responsible for the development of coronary artery
disease.
Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and may
even reverse
coronary artery disease, thus reducing the chance of heart
attacks.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: tablets:20 mg, 40 mg
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature
in a
tightly closed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: High blood LDL cholesterol is first
treated with
exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and
saturated fats.
When these measures fail, cholesterol-lowering medications such
as
fluvastatin can be added. The National Cholesterol Education
Program
(NCEP) has published treatment guidelines for use of these
medications.
These treatment guidelines take into account the level of LDL
cholesterol
as well as the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes,
hypertension, cigarette smoking, low HDL cholesterol level, and
family
history of early coronary heart disease. Blood cholesterol
determinations
are performed in regular intervals during treatment so that
dosage
adjustments can be made.
DOSING: May be taken on an empty or full stomach.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Fluvastatin is generally well-
tolerated by
most patients. The medication should be used with caution in
patients with
alcohol or liver diseases. Persistently abnormal liver blood
tests are
rare, but may lead the doctor to discontinue the medication.
Rare cases of
muscle inflammation (myositis) and breakdown have been reported
with other
medications in the same class. Muscle breakdown causes the
release of
muscle protein (myoglobin) into the blood and kidney tubules,
and may
result in kidney failure. To date, significant muscle
inflammation or
breakdown has not been reported with fluvastatin. This
medication may
interact with other medications like digoxin (Lanoxin),
cimetidine (Tagamet), and ranitidine (Zantac). The clinical significance
of these
interactions are not clear. Fluvastatin is not recommended for
use in
children. Fluvastatin is not habit forming.
PREGNANCY: Fluvastatin may cause fetal harm and should
not be
taken by pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: Fluvastatin should not be used by
nursing
mothers because of potential adverse side effects to the
nursing infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects are rare. Minor side effects
include
constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, headache,
insomnia, and
joint pains. Major side effects include abdominal pain or
cramps, blurred
vision, dizziness, easy bruising or
bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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