Lescol Medication - Uses & Side Effects

FLUVASTATIN (Lescol®) blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. Fluvastatin can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. Generic fluvastatin capsules are not yet available.

Lescol Dosage

• The usual starting dose is 20 to 40 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose at bedtime. The usual range after that is 20 to 80 milligrams per day. At the 80-milligram level, the dosage will be split into two 40-milligram doses taken 2 times a day. If you have kidney disease, doses over 40 milligrams should be used with caution. After 4 weeks of therapy with Lescol, your doctor will check your cholesterol level and adjust your dosage if necessary.

Uses of Lescol

• Lescol is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol in your blood. Lescol also reduces the amounts of triglycerides (another type of fat) and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
• Lescol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
• This medicine is used to lower lipids (cholesterol and others) in the body. It works hand-in-hand with a low fat diet.
• It may also used to decrease triglycerides and a protein found in lipids.

Side Effects of Lescol

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. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• accidental injury
• diarrhea
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• indigestion
• joint diseases
• muscle pain
• nasal inflammation
• nausea
• heartburn
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• sinus pain
  

Warnings and precautions before taking Lescol:

• Because Lescol may damage the liver, your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver enzyme levels before you start taking Lescol. Blood tests will probably be done 12 weeks after you start Lescol 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. 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 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.
• 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 for a while.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.

Drug Interaction :- If you take Lescol 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 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)

Overdose

• Symptoms of a Lescol overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.