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EspañolFluvastatin Sodium overview
BRAND NAMES:
Lescol XL
Generic Names:
Fluvastatin Sodium
Uses:
Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Helps keep atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) from getting worse. This medicine is an HMG-CoA inhibitor (statin).
Therapeutic Classes:
Antihyperlipidemic
Forms:
Capsule, Long Acting Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What form(s) does Fluvastatin Sodium come in
Capsule
Long Acting Tablet
What are common Fluvastatin Sodium doses?
Capsule 20MG
Capsule 40MG
Common Fluvastatin Sodium prescriptions
Fluvastatin Sodium
20mg capsuleFluvastatin Sodium
40mg capsule
How to take Fluvastatin Sodium
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take the capsule at the same time every evening. If you take this medicine twice a day, take it at the same time every morning and every evening. You may take the extended-release tablet at any time of the day.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not open the capsule before you take it.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not open the capsule before you take it.
Take the capsule at the same time every evening. If you take this medicine twice a day, take it at the same time every morning and every evening. You may take the extended-release tablet at any time of the day.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What to do if you miss a dose of Fluvastatin Sodium
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take this medicine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose.
Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Fluvastatin Sodium contraindications
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fluvastatin. Do not use this medicine if you have active liver disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Fluvastatin Sodium warnings
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, diabetes, muscle pain or weakness, or an underactive thyroid. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you drink alcohol regularly.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.
Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery, a major injury, or you develop other serious health problems.
Fluvastatin Sodium interactions
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use cimetidine (Tagamet®), colchicine (Colcrys®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), diclofenac (Cataflam®, Voltaren®), erythromycin (Ery-Tab®), glyburide (Diabeta®, Micronase®), niacin (Vitamin B3), phenytoin (Dilantin®), rifampicin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), or spironolactone (Aldactone®). Tell your doctor if you also use a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®, Jantoven®), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®), or other medicine for lowering cholesterol (such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, Lopid®, Tricor®).
Tell your doctor if you usually drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.
Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery, a major injury, or you develop other serious health problems.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Fluvastatin Sodium side effects
Serious Side Effects
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, yellow skin or eyes
Fever
Unusual tiredness
Less Serious Side Effects
Headache
Confusion or problems with memory
Mild nausea, upset stomach