Fluvastatin

Fluvastatin is a medication commonly used for the treatment of high cholesterol and high triglycerides. For people with heart disease, the medicine can also decrease the chances of requiring a heart procedure (such as angioplasty or open heart surgery) and reduce the rate of cholesterol buildup on the arteries. Fluvastatin works by blocking a particular enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol.

 

What Is Fluvastatin?

Fluvastatin sodium (Lescol®) and fluvastatin extended-release (Lescol® XL) are medications used for treating a number of conditions related to heart disease, including high cholesterol and high triglycerides. They belong to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which are more popularly known as statins.
 
In this article, when we refer to fluvastatin, we are meaning both fluvastatin sodium and fluvastatin extended-release, unless we specify a difference.
 

Who Makes Fluvastatin?

Fluvastatin is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
 

What Is Fluvastatin Used For?

Fluvastatin has been licensed for several uses, including:
 

For people with heart disease, fluvastatin is used to:

 

 

  • Decrease the rate of cholesterol buildup on the arteries (atherosclerosis).

 

Fluvastatin has also been approved for use in children ages 10 to 16 for the treatment of high cholesterol.
 
(Fluvastatin Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;