Lescol

Product Information
Lescol, the brand name for the generic drug Fluvastatin sodium, is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of high cholesterol levels. Lescol manufactured and marketed by Novartis, works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body; thereby, reducing the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol in your blood.

Lescol also helps in reducing the amounts of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B (a protein required to make cholesterol) in your blood. Lescol also plays an important role in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis i.e. the hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Drug Class - Statin

Brand Names - Lescol and Lescol XL

How to Use

Take Lescol as prescribed and directed by the doctor.
Each dosage should be swallowed with a glass of water and should not be crushed, broken or chewed.
For best effect, Lescol is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal
For best results with Lescol, eat low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and avoid fatty foods.
Do not stop taking the drug, once prescribed without consulting a doctor.
It is recommendable that you have a regular monitoring of the blood cholesterol levels during treatment so as to monitor progress and side effects.

Side Effects
The initial Adjustment: As your body adjusts to the medication, you may have

Abdominal Pain
Back Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Flu-like symptoms
Headache
Indigestion and flatulence
Joint and Muscle Pain
Nasal Inflammation
Nausea
Sore Throat and Upper Respiratory Infection

Consult a Doctor
Consult your doctor if these effects persist or you experience chest pain and congestion, allergy, arthritis, coughing, dizziness, dental problems, fatigue, gas, inflamed sinuses, insomnia, rash, urinary tract infection.

Drug Interaction

Use Lescol after judging all possibilities of drug interaction.
Consult your doctor and inform about all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Avoid Lescol if you on are medications like
1. Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
2. Cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
3. Gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
4. Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
5. Niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin);
6. Erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin)
7. Warfarin (Coumadin)
8. Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)

Precautions

Precautions should be taken to guard against obscure possibilities if you are affected by diseases like kidney disease, chronic muscular disease or blood disorder.
Inform your doctor before using Lescol if you drink alcoholic beverages.
This drug is not recommended for use in children.
Lescol has been included in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Therefore, you are advised not to take Lescol if you are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy during treatment.
Lescol passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take Lescol without consulting your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Dosage

The initial dose for Lescol is 20 to 40 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose at bedtime.
The next level dose is 20 to 80 milligrams per day. However, at 80-milligram level, the dosage will be split into two doses of 40-mg each taken twice a day.
Lescol is strictly advised to be used only under medical supervision so as to prevent possible side-effects
The dosage for the drug varies from person to person depending upon the body metabolism.

Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Overdose of Lescol can cause nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is too late or almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Never take a double dose of this medication.

The usual range after that is At the 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.

Storage
Lescol should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep away from the reach of children.

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement and not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be interpreted to indicate that use of the drug is safe, apt, or effectual for you. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before using this drug.