Fluvastatin

What it is used for

Fluvastatin capsules are a prescription medicine called “statins” that lower cholesterol in your blood. They lower the “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. They can raise your “good” cholesterol as well.

Fluvastatin capsules are for people whose cholesterol does not come down enough with exercise and a low-fat diet alone.

Fluvastatin capsules may be used in patients with heart disease (coronary artery disease) to:

• lower the chances of heart problems which would require procedures to help restore blood flow to the heart.
• slow the buildup of too much cholesterol in the arteries of the heart.

Treatment with fluvastatin capsules has not been shown to prevent heart attacks or stroke.

Fluvastatin capsules are taken one or two times a day.

How to take it

• Your doctor will prescribe the medicine that is right for you. Take fluvastatin capsules exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or stop fluvastatin capsules without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during treatment with fluvastatin capsules. Your dose of fluvastatin capsules may be changed based on these blood test results.
• Take fluvastatin capsules at the same time every evening. When fluvastatin capsules are taken twice daily, the capsules may be taken once in the morning and once in the evening. Fluvastatin capsules can be taken with or without food.
• Do not open fluvastatin capsules.
• Your doctor should start you on a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet before giving you fluvastatin capsules. Stay on this low-fat and low-cholesterol diet while taking fluvastatin capsules.
• If you miss a dose of fluvastatin capsules, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take fluvastatin capsules if it has been more than 12 hours since your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of fluvastatin capsules at the same time.
• If you take too many fluvastatin capsules or overdose, call your doctor or Poison Control Center right away. Or, go to the nearest emergency room.

Side effects, and when to stop

When taking fluvastatin capsules, some patients may develop serious side effects, including:

muscle problems. Call your healthcare professional right away if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially with fever. This may be an early sign of a rare muscle problem that could lead to serious kidney problems.

The risk of muscle problems is greater in people who are 65 years of age or older, or who already have thyroid or kidney problems. The chance of muscle problems may be increased if you are taking certain other medicines with fluvastatin capsules.

If you have muscle problems that do not go away even after your healthcare professional has advised you to stop taking fluvastatin capsules, notify your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional may do further tests to diagnose the cause of your muscle problems.

liver problems. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking fluvastatin capsules, and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you take fluvastatin capsules. Call your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms of liver problems:

• feel tired or weak
• loss of appetite
• upper belly pain
• dark amber colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

The most common side effects of fluvastatin capsules are headache, upset stomach and stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, sinus infection, tiredness, or trouble sleeping. These side effects are usually mild and may go away. The following additional side effects have been reported with fluvastatin capsules: memory loss and confusion.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that bother you or that will not go away.

These are not all the side effects of fluvastatin capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Who should not take it

Do not take fluvastatin capsules if you:

• are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. Fluvastatin capsules may harm your unborn baby. If you get pregnant, stop taking fluvastatin capsules and call your doctor right away.
• are breastfeeding. Fluvastatin can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby
• have liver problems
• are allergic to fluvastatin capsules or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient in fluvastatin capsules is fluvastatin. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in fluvastatin capsules.

Fluvastatin capsules have not been studied in children under 9 years of age.

Before taking fluvastatin capsules, tell your doctor if you:

• have muscle aches or weakness
• drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily
• have diabetes
• have a thyroid problem
• have kidney problems

Some medicines should not be taken with fluvastatin capsules. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Fluvastatin capsules and certain other medicines can interact causing serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines for:

• your immune system
• cholesterol
• infections
• heart failure
• seizures
• diabetes
• heartburn or stomach ulcers

Know all the medicines you take. Keep a list of all the medicines you take with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

What to avoid

• Talk to your doctor before you start any new medicines. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Fluvastatin capsules and certain other medicines can interact causing serious side effects.
• Do not get pregnant. If you get pregnant, stop taking fluvastatin capsules right away and call your doctor.

Storing it

• Store fluvastatin capsules at room temperature, 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Protect from light.
• Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need.
• Keep fluvastatin capsules out of the reach of children. Be sure that if you throw medicines away, it is out of the reach of children.

General information about fluvastatin capsules

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use fluvastatin capsules for a condition for which they were not prescribed. Do not give fluvastatin capsules to other people, even if they have the same problem you have; they may harm them.

For more information, call Mylan at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX).