Brand Name

Lescol {Novartis}

Generic Name

fluvastatin, pronounced FLOO va sta tin

What is Lescol?

Lescol is a medication that can help to lower your cholesterol, especially your “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. Lescol is effective at reducing the triglycerides, or fatty acids in your blood. If you have high levels of triglycerides you are at a greater risk of atherosclerosis, which is also known as clogged arteries. Lescol is helpful at raising your good cholesterol, and can be used by adults and children ages 10 and older. Lescol may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Lescol

Lescol may help to reduce your low-density lipoprotein {LDL}, also known as your “bad” cholesterol and raise your levels of your high-density lipoprotein {HDL}, which is known as your “good” cholesterol.

Lescol is in the group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or “statins.”.

Lescol may be prescribed to help lower your levels of a type of fat in the blood stream or the blood tissue, called triglycerides.

Your doctor may have prescribed Lescol for you to help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications. This is important if you have risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

In rare cases, Lescol can cause a condition that causes a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to kidney failure. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, especially if you also have a fever, extreme tiredness, and dark colored urine. This rare condition may be more likely to occur if you are an older adult, if you have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism.

Lescol is in FDA pregnancy category X. Lescol is known to harm an unborn baby and cause birth defects. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not breast-feed if you are taking Lescol, as it is known that Lescol passes into breast milk.

You should refrain from drinking alcohol while taking Lescol, as it can raise your triglyceride levels and cause potential liver damage.

You should not drink more than 1 quart of grapefruit juice daily, as it can interact with Lescol and lead to potentially dangerous effects.

Before You Take Lescol

You should not take Lescol if you are allergic to fluvastatin.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes before taking Lescol.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects if you are taking Lescol. Your consumption of alcohol may also raise your triglyceride levels.

If you have hypothyroidism or a thyroid disorder you should tell your doctor before beginning treatment with Lescol.

Lescol Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor before taking Lescol if you are being treated with any of the following medications:

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide)
• statin medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Lescol. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Lescol

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

Lescol is taken either once or twice daily. You should try and take Lescol at the same time or times every day.

Lescol can be taken with or without food.

If you are taking cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid) you should not take these medications within 2 hours of taking Lescol. You should not take either of these medications at the same time that you take Lescol.

Visit your doctor regularly to be sure that you are getting the best results from your dose. You will need to have your blood tested on a regular basis to be sure that Lescol is not causing you harm and is giving you the best results.

You may need to stop taking Lescol on a long-term basis for a surgical or medical emergency. Your doctor will inform you of when you should begin taking Lescol again. Do not start or stop taking Lescol at any time without consulting your doctor first.

Lescol is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely as directed by your doctor.

You should not break, chew or crush the Lescol tablet or capsule.

Lescol should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

If you miss a dose of Lescol you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Lescol Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Lescol and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• clay colored stools
• fever with exhaustion and dark colored urine
• high blood sugar signs, including symptoms like increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision and weight loss
• itching that is severe
• jaundice, a yellowing of your skin or eyes
• memory problems and confusion
• stomach pain that is severe in the upper stomach along with nausea and vomiting
• swelling with weight gain and urinating less than usual or not at all
• urination that is painful or burns
• weakness and unexplained muscle pain or tenderness that is unusual

Less serious side effects of Lescol may include:

• cold symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat
• confusion
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• indigestion
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• muscle pain that is mild
• nausea that is mild

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Lescol. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Lescol Description and Dosing

Lescol is available in capsule, tablet and extended release forms.

Lescol 20 mg capsules are brown and light brown, and imprinted twice with “and 20” on one half and “Lescol” and the Lescol logo twice on the other half of the capsule.

Lescol 40 mg capsules are brown and gold and imprinted twice with “and 40” on one half and “Lescol” and the Lescol logo twice on the other half of the capsule.

Lescol XL is available as 80 mg tablets that are yellow, round, slightly biconvex,
film-coated with beveled edges and debossed with “Lescol XL” on one side and “80” on the other.

Your doctor will tell you the right dose of Lescol for you. Do not attempt to change your dose or stop taking Lescol without speaking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Lescol you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Lescol

Lescol has the active ingredient fluvastatin sodium. Inactive ingredients in the capsules include calcium carbonate, gelatin, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch (corn), red iron oxide, sodium bicarbonate, talc, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide, and other ingredients. The capsules may also contain the following inactive ingredients: benzyl alcohol, black iron oxide, butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, edetate calcium disodium, methylparaben, propylparaben, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium propionate.

The inactive ingredients in the extended-release tablets are microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, potassium bicarbonate, povidone, magnesium stearate, yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide and polyethylene glycol 8000.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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