Lescol XL

Oral- Hyperlipidaemias: Adult: Initially, 20-40 mg once daily in the evening, may increase at intervals of 4 wk to max 80 mg/day. Child: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: 9-16 yr 20 mg once daily. If necessary, may increase dose at 6-wkly intervals to 40 mg bid or 80 mg once daily as modified-release. May be taken with or without food

Fluvastatin acts by competitively inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme for cholesterol synthesis. It reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL concentrations in plasma. It also increases HDL concentrations.

Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, bronchitis, sinusitis, insomnia, fatigue, myopathy, myalgia and UTI. Increased blood creatinine phosphokinase and transaminase.

Acute liver disease or unexplained persistent elevation of serum aminotransferases. Pregnancy and lactation. Avoid admin of two 40 mg conventional cap at one time.

History of liver disease and hereditary muscular disorders; high alcohol intake; patients who undergone major surgery and under immunosuppressive agents. Manage hypothyroidism prior to treatment. Severe renal impairment.

Bleeding and increased prothrombin time with coumarin anticoagulants. May increase the risk of myopathy rhabdomyolysis with HIV protease inhibitors, colchicine, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate or niacin (nicotinic acid), ciclosporin and fluconazole. Reduced bioavailability with concomitant rifampicin.