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Overview: Fluvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol levels and to lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. It works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood. Common side effects include headache, stomach pain or upset stomach, and nausea. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, muscle cramps, or dark-colored pee, as these may be signs of a serious side effect. Fluvastatin comes as either a capsule or tablet that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is fluvastatin used for?

Fluvastatin is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It also increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Improving your cholesterol levels helps decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Fluvastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does fluvastatin work (mechanism of action)?

Fluvastatin lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood.

How is fluvastatin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Lescol
  • Lescol XL

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20 mg oral capsules
  • 40 mg oral capsules
  • 80 mg extended-release oral tablets 

How should I store fluvastatin?

Fluvastatin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of fluvastatin?

The most common side effects of fluvastatin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and cough
  • Bronchitis
  • Stomach pain and upset stomach
  • Kidney or bladder infection
  • Nausea
  • Muscle pain

There may be other side effects of fluvastatin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of fluvastatin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of fluvastatin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Muscle Problems. Fluvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness, called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking fluvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.

  • Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
  • Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Fever
  • Muscle cramps
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking fluvastatin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Increased Blood Sugar. Fluvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Fluvastatin can cause allergic reactions, including a severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which can be serious. Stop taking fluvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use fluvastatin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take fluvastatin.

  • Fluvastatin
  • Lescol
  • Lescol XL
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed 

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific fluvastatin products they stock.

Liver Problems. Fluvastatin should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about fluvastatin before using it?

Do not take fluvastatin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share fluvastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep fluvastatin out of the reach of children.

People who are age 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of fluvastatin, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood work, while you are taking this medicine. Follow any advice from your health care provider about diet and exercise.

Do not chew, cut, or crush fluvastatin extended-release tablets.  

Do not open fluvastatin capsules.

What should I tell my health care provider before using fluvastatin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if fluvastatin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Fluvastatin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking fluvastatin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Fluvastatin may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking fluvastatin and contact your health care provider right away. 

Breastfeeding. Do not take fluvastatin while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if fluvastatin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take fluvastatin or breastfeed. 

Interactions

Does fluvastatin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between fluvastatin and foods or drinks.

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking fluvastatin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Tell your health care provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking fluvastatin.

Does fluvastatin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using fluvastatin.

  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), which is a medicine used to treat diabetes
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Niacin or a fibrate, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or gemfibrozil (Lopid), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Colchicine, which is a medicine commonly used for gout

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of fluvastatin, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with fluvastatin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much fluvastatin?

If you or someone else has taken too much fluvastatin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of fluvastatin?

Extended-Release Oral Tablet. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Oral Capsule. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours has passed since your last dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.