Lescol XL 80 mg

The Drug Company maintains a world-wide network of licensed pharmacies who can fill your order for Lescol XL 80 mg. Our network includes a Canadian pharmacy, a US pharmacy, and a British pharmacy, among many others, so you can choose from where you want to place your order. Some pharmacies offer a lower price on Lescol XL 80 mg than others. You can create your rx order online and have your prescription mailed to your home. Thousands of customers have enjoyed this convenience, and save time and money when they refill their prescription order.

Lescol XL General Information

Lescol XL, generic name fluvastatin, is a medication in the statin family of drugs. Statins are antilipemic drugs, meaning that they reduce the amounts of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins in the bloodstream.

How Does Lescol XL Work and What Does it Do?

Lescol XL, like other statin drugs, reduces cholesterol by blocking an enzyme known as hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HGM-CoA) reductase. Cholesterol and other fats are manufactured in our bodies from carbohydrates and proteins or comes in via the food we eat. When the body makes cholesterol, it uses the enzyme HGM-CoA reductase to turn hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A into a substance called mevalonic acid, a precursor of cholesterol. When statin drugs like Lescol XL block this enzyme, less cholesterol is made. Several clinical research studies have shown that fluvastatin reduced the risk of heart attacks due to coronary artery disease, and Lescol XL can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol up to 36%. The XL indicates that the capsule is extended release. This means that Lescol is released from the capsule a little bit at a time, resulting in a more even level of drug in the bloodstream throughout the day.

When/How is Lescol XL taken

Lescol XL capsules should be taken once a day in the evening, with or without food. It is important to remember that, like all antilipemic drugs, Lescol XL does not replace a low cholesterol diet. Dietary therapy should begin with or before starting Lescol XL and should continue while taking this medication. Lescol may be initially prescribed at a smaller dose than is in the Lescol XL tablet, and gradually increased if LDL cholesterol levels have not been lowered enough. For most people, the amount of medicine in Lescol XL is the maximum amount of fluvastatin recommended per day.

Side Effects of Lescol XL

Most people can take Lescol XL without any difficulties; however, like other cholesterol lowering drugs, it can have adverse effects. In research trials, most people who had side effects complained of stomach pains and other gastrointestinal symptoms including upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other fairly common complaints were headache, fatigue, sinusitis, and flu like symptoms.

Fluvastatin also has side effects in the musculoskeletal system. Myalgia or muscle pain can occur, but myopathy, or damage to muscles may also develop. Myalgia from Lescol LX occurs at an incidence of 3.8%. The risk of muscle damage is higher with higher doses and is increased when it is used in addition to other cholesterol lowering drugs such as niacin or cholestyramine. Rhabdomyolysis (or breakdown of the muscles) is the most serious type of muscle damage that can be caused by Lescol XL. In this condition, proteins from severely damaged muscles leak into the blood stream and may clog the kidneys, leading to kidney failure. Fortunately, rhabdomyolysis is very rare. Severe liver damage (including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure) is also rare but possible when taking Lescol XL. Careful monitoring for muscle pain and periodic blood tests to check for liver and muscle damage help clinicians to decide if someone should stop taking Lescol XL.

Safety Information

Lescol XL is not for people with active liver disease. Lescol XL, like other statin drugs, is processed in the body by the liver and can make a damaged liver much worse. Even people who are not sick from liver disease, but have persistently abnormal results on blood tests for the liver, should also not take Lescol XL. Additionally, anyone on this medication should drink alcohol sparingly, and it should only be used with caution in persons who have alcoholism.

Lescol XL crosses the placenta, and is excreted in breast milk. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breast feeding because cholesterol is necessary for normal growth and development of the fetus and of infants. Women, including girls who have been menstruating for one year, should only be treated with Lescol XL if they are very unlikely to get pregnant. They should be advised of the possible risks of fluvastatin, as well as the need for effective contraception while taking this medicine. If someone already on Lescol XL becomes pregnant, it should be discontinued immediately and she should be informed about the possible risks to her fetus. A patient and her doctor should, based on her health risks, decide if she needs to continue on Lescol XL and not breast feed, or if she can temporarily stop taking it.

Anyone with an allergic reaction to statin drugs or who has had rhabdomyolysis from statins should also not take Lescol XL.

Dosage:

Extended-release tablet, 80 mg

Visual Description

Lexol XL is a yellow tablet with "LESCOL XL" printed on one side and the number "80" printed on the other side.