Lescol XL (Fluvastatin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lescol XL Used For?
Lescol XL contains fluvastatin and belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It works by lowering high cholesterol levels in your blood.
Primary Uses
Lescol XL is used to lower high cholesterol levels and help prevent further serious heart problems (like heart attacks) in people with heart disease who have already had heart catheterization to open up blood vessels in their heart.
How It Works
The cholesterol-lowering effect slows the progression of atherosclerosis, which causes thickening and hardening of blood vessel walls due to cholesterol deposits. It helps reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides while supporting ‘good’ cholesterol levels.
Good to know: Lescol XL helps lower your ‘bad’ cholesterol but you must continue taking it to keep your cholesterol levels down. It works best when combined with a low-fat diet and regular exercise.
How to Take Lescol XL
Lescol XL is available as an 80mg prolonged-release tablet that should be swallowed whole with water.
Dosage Instructions
The usual daily dose is 80mg to prevent complications in people with heart disease. Swallow each tablet whole with water – do not chew, crush, cut in half, or split. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food. If taking colestyramine, take Lescol XL at least 4 hours after the colestyramine dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 4 hours before your next dose. If it’s closer than 4 hours to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Stomach discomfort or heartburn
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Impotence
- Depression
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of high blood sugar (excessive thirst, high urine output, increased appetite with weight loss, tiredness)
- Unexpected muscle pain, tenderness or weakness (including eye muscles or muscles used for speaking/swallowing), possibly with unusual tiredness or fever
- Allergic reactions (swelling of face, eyelids, lips, tongue; rash, itching, hives; shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising)
- Liver problems (yellowing of skin and eyes, dark colored urine, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, impaired brain function, easy bruising or bleeding)
- Lung problems (shortness of breath, non-productive cough, fatigue, weight loss, fever)
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Lescol XL should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Lescol XL
Do not take if you are allergic to fluvastatin or any ingredients, have active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in liver enzymes, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are trying to become pregnant without adequate contraception, or have been prescribed any medicine containing fusidic acid.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to other statins, personal or family history of hereditary muscular disorders, history of muscle problems from other lipid-lowering agents, liver or kidney problems, low thyroid hormone levels, personal or family history of diabetes, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders, uncontrolled epilepsy, very low blood pressure, unexplained muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, regularly drink large amounts of alcohol, have a serious infection, or are about to have an operation.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Lescol XL if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop immediately and tell your doctor. Do not breastfeed while taking Lescol XL as your baby may absorb the medicine and there is a possibility of harm.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lescol XL and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Other cholesterol lowering medicines (colestyramine, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid)
- Ciclosporin (immune system suppressor)
- Antibiotics (fusidic acid, rifampicin, erythromycin)
- Fluconazole (antifungal)
- Phenytoin (epilepsy treatment)
- Oral anticoagulants like warfarin (blood thinners)
- Glibenclamide (diabetes treatment)
- Colchicine (gout and inflammatory conditions)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Lescol XL.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption may not be safe in patients taking Lescol XL. Tell your doctor if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving a car or operating machinery as Lescol XL may cause dizziness in some people. While it generally doesn’t cause problems with your ability to drive, wait until you know how it affects you.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Lescol XL, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works to lower cholesterol levels, but you must continue taking it regularly to maintain the cholesterol-lowering effect. Your doctor will regularly check your blood cholesterol levels to monitor how well it’s working.
Yes, you can take Lescol XL at any time of day, with or without food. The timing doesn’t affect how the medication works.
Do not stop using Lescol XL suddenly unless you have discussed it with your doctor. The medication helps lower your cholesterol but doesn’t cure your condition, so you must continue taking it to keep your cholesterol levels down.
Excessive alcohol consumption may not be safe while taking Lescol XL. Tell your doctor if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol so they can advise you properly.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, as long as it’s more than 4 hours before your next dose is due. If it’s closer than 4 hours to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal. Never take a double dose.
No, Lescol XL tablets must not be chewed, crushed, cut in half, or split. They are prolonged-release tablets that must be swallowed whole with water to work properly.
Yes, you must continue with your low-fat diet, control your weight, and exercise regularly while taking Lescol XL. The medication doesn’t reduce cholesterol that comes from fat in food, so lifestyle changes are essential for the best results.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.