Lescol Precautions and Warnings

There are several warnings and precautions with Lescol to be aware of before starting treatment. For example, people who are elderly or who have kidney damage are more likely to develop serious muscle problems while taking Lescol. There are also a number of people who should not take the medication, including women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and people who have active liver disease or unexplained high liver enzymes.

Lescol: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking Lescol® (fluvastatin sodium) or Lescol® XL (fluvastatin extended-release), you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have:
 
  • Liver disease or liver failure
  • Kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Drink alcohol frequently.
     
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
Finally, make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if it is with body aches or a fever.
 

Specific Lescol Precautions and Warnings

Some precautions and warnings to be aware of prior to taking Lescol include the following:
 
 
  • Lescol may interact with numerous other medications (see Lescol Drug Interactions).
     
  • If you are an alcoholic or drink alcohol frequently, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to starting treatment. Alcohol can affect the way the liver works, indirectly affecting Lescol.
     
  • Statins (including Lescol) have been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, you should have a blood test that looks at your liver function before starting Lescol and 12 weeks after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the Lescol dosage is changed (see Lescol and Liver Problems).
     
  • Rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and other serious muscle problems have been reported rarely with Lescol and other statins. Make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if it is with a fever or if you feel ill (see Lescol and Muscle Pain).
     
  • Lescol is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. The safety of this drug in pregnant women has not been established. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider immediately (see Lescol and Pregnancy).
     
  • Lescol passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before using the drug (see Lescol and Breastfeeding for more information).
 

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(Lescol Precautions and Warnings Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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