Lescol and Depression

There are a number of potential side effects that may develop with the use of Lescol, and depression is one of them. In clinical studies of people taking Lescol, depression was a rare side effect that occurred in less than 1 percent of patients. Possible symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness and pessimism; thoughts of death or suicide; and a persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood.

 

Is Depression a Lescol Side Effect?

There are many possible side effects for people taking Lescol® (fluvastatin sodium). One rare Lescol side effect is depression, occurring in less than 1 percent of patients. Given how infrequently depression occurs in people taking Lescol, it is difficult to say whether depression is actually caused by the medicine or something else, especially given the rate of depression in the general population. In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population (about 18.8 million American adults) has depression.
 

Lescol and Depression: What to Look For

Possible depression symptoms may include:
 
 
  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
  • Decreased energy; fatigue; feeling "slowed down"
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
  • Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
  • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  • Restlessness and irritability
  • Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain, that do not respond to treatment.
     
Keep in mind that there are other conditions that can share similar symptoms with depression. If you experience any of these possible symptoms of depression while taking Lescol, you should visit your healthcare provider so the problem can be diagnosed and treated.
 
(Lescol and Depression Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;