Print this page
Email a friendDrug Library
Generic Name: Fluvastatin
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Lescol is prescribed primarily to lower cholesterol.
Coronary artery
disease is associated with certain risk factors, including high serum
cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides and reduced levels of
protective HDL cholesterol.
Diet, exercise and weight control are
important first-line preventive approaches. When they are insufficient, drugs
like Lescol may help reduce the risk of heart disease. This medication lowers
LDL and total cholesterol by keeping the liver from making more.
Side Effects and Interactions
Lescol has relatively few side effects and most
people tolerate it well.
Some adverse reactions that may occur include
headache, insomnia, joint pain, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea and stomach
ache.
Similar medications have caused exaggerated sunburn or rash,
blurred vision, dizziness, insomnia, and numbness or tingling of the hands or
feet.
Muscle aches, tenderness or weakness is a worry, since it could be
a sign of a serious reaction called rhabdomyolysis or myopathy. This has not
been reported with Lescol, but report such symptoms ors any others to your
physician promptly.
Drugs related to Lescol are more likely to cause
rhabdomyolysis or myopathy when they are combined with medications such as the
antibiotics erythromyxin,
troleandomycin or Biaxin,
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as Lopid
or niacin, or he transplant drug Sandimmune.
Taking Lescol at the same
time as Questran reduces the absorption of Lescol by about 50 percent. If both
drugs are needed, Lescol should be taken four or more hours after
Questran.
Lescol may increase blood levels of Lanoxin
modestly, so patients on both should be monitored.
The tuberculosis drug
rifampin can reduce Lescol levels significantly.
Check with your
physician and pharmacist to make sure Lescol is safe in combination with any
other drug you may take.
Special Precautions
Because Lescol is metabolized by the liver, liver problems or heavy alcohol use are red flags.
Liver enzyme changes have been reported in a small proportion of patients using this medicine, and may indicate serious problems.
Liver function should be tested before anyone starts taking Lescol and after 6 and 12 weeks on the medication. Periodic tests are needed thereafter.
Because cholesterol is essential for the developing fetus and infant, pregnant and nursing women should not take Lescol.
Taking the Medicine
The manufacturer recommends that Lescol be taken in the evening.
It may be taken either
with or without food.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000