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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL)?

You should not take fluvastatin if you are allergic to it, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• history of liver disease;
• history of kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.

In rare cases, fluvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:

• erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
• medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
• drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take fluvastatin if you are pregnant.Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking fluvastatin.

Fluvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking fluvastatin.

How should I take fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Fluvastatin is usually taken once or twice daily, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a fluvastatin tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the pill.

You may need to stop using fluvastatin for a short time if you have:

• uncontrolled seizures;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
• severely low blood pressure;
• a severe infection or illness; or
• surgery or a medical emergency.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Fluvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need to take fluvastatin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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