Fluvastatin
About
Fluvastatin belongs to the class of medicines called 'statins' primarily used to lower raised bad cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels. Fluvastatin also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in the future. High cholesterol known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When the cholesterol level is high in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributes to coronary heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack.
Fluvastatin contains Fluvastatin that works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase an enzyme that produces cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Thus, Fluvastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by preventing the release of excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
Take Fluvastatin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Fluvastatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience stomach pain, nausea, headache, indigestion, or difficulty sleeping. Most of these side effects of Fluvastatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Fluvastatin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid using Fluvastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women and consult a doctor before taking Fluvastatin. You are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Fluvastatin to avoid pregnancy. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Fluvastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Avoid taking Fluvastatin if you have liver disease, including high levels of certain liver enzymes such as transaminases. If you are about to undergo an operation, inform your doctor that you are taking Fluvastatin.
Uses of Fluvastatin
Medicinal Benefits
Fluvastatin contains Fluvastatin used to lower bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients whose cholesterol levels are not controlled by diet and exercise alone. Fluvastatin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, Fluvastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the brain and the heart's major blood vessels.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fluvastatin
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Difficulty in sleeping
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Fluvastatin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), serious infection, very low blood pressure, low blood potassium, diabetes, kidney, liver, or muscle problems, please inform your doctor before taking Fluvastatin. Avoid using Fluvastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women and consult a doctor before taking Fluvastatin. You are advised to take effective birth control measures while taking Fluvastatin to avoid pregnancy. Avoid consumption of alcohol with Fluvastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Maintain a low-fat diet along with Fluvastatin for effective results. If you are taking or have taken fusidic acid (antibiotic) orally or by an injection in the last 7 days, inform your doctor before taking Fluvastatin as this combination may cause severe muscle problems. Avoid taking Fluvastatin if you have liver disease, including high levels of certain liver enzymes such as transaminases. If you are about to undergo an operation, inform your doctor that you are taking Fluvastatin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Fluvastatin may have interaction with other medicines used to lower bad cholesterol (gemfibrozil, niacin, cholestyramine), antifungal (fluconazole), anticonvulsant (phenytoin), antibiotic (rifampicin, fusidic acid), a medicine used to treat gout (colchicine), antidiabetic (glibenclamide), immunosuppressant (cyclosporine), blood thinners (warfarin, clopidogrel).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption with Fluvastatin as it may increase the risk of liver problems.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), severe infection, very low blood pressure, low blood potassium, diabetes, kidney, liver, or muscle problems, please inform your doctor before taking Fluvastatin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Fluvastatin as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeFluvastatin is a Category X pregnancy drug and is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. So, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Fluvastatin.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Fluvastatin as it may be unsafe for the baby. However, please consult a doctor before taking Fluvastatin.
Driving
safe if prescribedFluvastatin usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
unsafeFluvastatin is not recommended for patients with Liver diseases/conditions as it may worsen the condition.
Kidney
cautionTake Fluvastatin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionFluvastatin is not recommended for children below 10 years of age. If it is highly required, it has to be determined by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-fat diet. Limit your intake of dairy products made with whole milk and red meat. Prefer skim milk and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts, and cut down beverages, processed and sugary foods.
- Do regular exercises such as swimming, cycling, walking, or dancing and focus on losing weight as obesity also raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Fluvastatin may give abnormal blood test values for liver and muscle.
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Fluvastatin to monitor cholesterol levels in the blood and liver functioning.
- Regular monitoring of Liver function test (LFT) is required as there might be an increase in liver enzymes in rare cases.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High cholesterol known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributes to heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol-containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol found in our body, i.e. good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Good cholesterol is good for our heart and helps in reducing the bad cholesterol from our body. On the other hand, excess bad cholesterol (LDL) leads to the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke.
FAQs
Fluvastatin contains Fluvastatin which works by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the body that is essential to make cholesterol. Thereby, it decreases the production of LDL (bad cholesterol) by the liver. Also, Fluvastatin reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack by reducing the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the brain and heart.
You are not recommended to take Fluvastatin with fusidic acid (antibiotic) as it may increase the risk of severe muscle problems called rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle tissue). Also, inform your doctor if you are taking or have taken fusidic acid (antibiotic) orally or by an injection in the last 7 days. However, please consult a doctor before taking Fluvastatin with any other medicines.
Fluvastatin should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase blood sugar levels. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Fluvastatin as it may increase the risk of developing diabetes. Also, inform your doctor before taking Fluvastatin if you are diabetic.
You are recommended to avoid eating foods rich in fat or cholesterol and caffeine as it may increase side effects.
Fluvastatin may be used to prevent or reduce the risk of a heart attack in certain patients with coronary artery disease (damage or blockage of coronary arteries due to build-up of plaque). Fluvastatin decreases the excess cholesterol deposition in the major blood vessels of the heart.
You are not recommended to stop taking Fluvastatin without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, take Fluvastatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Fluvastatin, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
