What You Need To Know About Lescol (Fluvastatin) for Cholesterol
Statin medication is a common treatment option for high cholesterol, but what statin medication is right for you? There are many options on the market, and it can be a bit of an overwhelming topic to dive into. One commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication is Lescol, also known as fluvastatin. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Lescol and take a look at some potential natural alternatives as well.
What Is Fluvastatin?
Fluvastatin is the generic name for Lescol. Lescol is a statin medication prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Let’s take a closer look at how statin medications work.
Common Brand Names
The common brand names for fluvastatin are Lescol and Lescol XL. Lescol is the standard version of the medication, while Lescol XL is an extended-release tablet.
How It Works
Fluvastatin, or Lescol, works through the same biochemical pathways as most statin medications. When you take a statin medication, it blocks an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for cholesterol production. This helps to lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels and triglycerides, which lowers total cholesterol levels overall. Lowering cholesterol levels can decrease the risk of heart disease and other cholesterol-related conditions.
Is Lescol a Statin?
Yes, Lescol is a statin medication. It is the brand name of the generic fluvastatin.
Is This Prescription Effective for Lowering Cholesterol?
Fluvastatin is effective in lowering cholesterol levels in patients. A study on fluvastatin found that 10 mg/day reduced LDL cholesterol by up to 15%, total cholesterol by up to 11% and triglycerides by up to 3%. Higher doses were found to lower LDL cholesterol by up to 33%, total cholesterol by up to 25% and triglycerides by up to 17.5%. Lowering LDL and triglycerides can help to reduce an individual’s risk of heart attacks, strokes and other heart conditions. Overall, Lescol is a widely prescribed medication and can be effective at lowering cholesterol in patients.
Understanding Your Dosage
Dosage for Lescol will be based on factors such as your age, medical history, cholesterol levels, other medications you may be taking and various other factors. You will need to talk with your doctor about dosage to determine what is right for you. Generally, patients will start with 20 to 40 mg of Lescol once a day in the evening. Some patients may take Lescol twice a day. Your doctor may also recommend extended-release Lescol XL, which is 80 mg and taken once a day. Make sure to take Lescol as prescribed by your doctor and report any changes or side effects you experience. Your doctor can adjust your dosage as necessary.
What Are the Side Effects?
As with all prescription medication, there is a chance you may experience side effects when taking Lescol. It’s important to keep these side effects in mind, so you can report them to your health care provider if and when they occur. Side effects are often dose-dependent, meaning you may feel fine on lower doses but experience side effects on higher doses. With that in mind, here are some common side effects people experience when taking Lescol:
- Muscle aches and pain
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Kidney issues
- Liver issues
- Trouble lifting arms
- Trouble standing
- Allergic reaction
Natural Alternatives
Lescol isn’t right for everyone. Some people may be unable to take statins due to medical history or certain conditions. Lescol may also interact with other drugs they’re taking, or the side effects may be too severe or life-altering to continue treatment. This is where natural alternatives can help. It’s worth noting that cholesterol management guidelines instruct doctors to recommend dietary and lifestyle changes before going the prescription medication route, unless the individual already has a heart condition or very high starting cholesterol. However, even if you’re on a cholesterol lowering medication, doctors will often recommend supplementing your treatment with a heart-healthy diet and exercise. One great way to ensure your diet is heart-healthy is with Step One Foods snacks and meals. Step One Foods is a natural solution that is designed specifically to help lower cholesterol through science-backed food products.
Step One Foods
Step One Foods creates delicious snacks that also help to lower your cholesterol. Using real food ingredients and the four top nutrients proven to lower cholesterol, you can help lower your LDL levels in as little as 30 days by enjoying just two snacks per day.
Science-backed food as medicine
Each Step One Foods snack is packed with whole food fiber, plant sterols, Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. These are the four key nutrients that have been clinically proven to help lower cholesterol levels. It’s truly using food as medicine. While medication can be a suitable treatment for lowering cholesterol levels, it often needs to be supplemented with a heart-healthy diet. Step One Foods makes it easy, and making the right dietary changes can make your medications work better, which means you may be able to switch to lower doses. Step One Foods has been evaluated in a controlled clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Manitoba. On average, subjects saw their LDL cholesterol lowered by 9% in 30 days. Many participants experienced 20, 30, or even close to 40% reductions in LDL cholesterol. Overall, 80% of subjects experienced positive outcomes and 95% said they enjoyed the foods.
Just as easy as taking a pill, but WAY tastier.
Eating Step One Foods is as convenient as taking a pill, but much more enjoyable. We make sure our snacks are tasty, so you look forward to using them twice a day. Just follow this regimen for 30 days and check to see if your LDL levels decreased at your next blood test.
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Lescol (Fluvastatin) FAQs
The cost of Lescol can vary based on factors such as your location, insurance coverage, dosage, and more. Without insurance, Lescol costs an average of $120 for a 30-day supply of 20 mg capsules and an average of $167 for a 30-day supply of 40 mg capsules. Meanwhile, generic fluvastatin is an average of $105 for a 30-day supply. Fortunately, statin medications are typically covered by insurance and you may pay much less out-of-pocket, depending on your coverage.
Weight gain is not a common side effect of Lescol. However, you should still report any weight changes, especially rapid weight gain, to your doctor if you’re on Lescol.
No, fluvastatin is not a blood thinner or beta blocker. Fluvastatin is a statin medication that blocks an enzyme in the liver to help reduce cholesterol levels in the body.
Lescol is generally considered a safe prescription medication that is commonly prescribed to those with high cholesterol. Lescol may not be right for everyone. Speak with your doctor about your cholesterol-lowering medication options to determine if Lescol is the right choice for you.
Choose The Step One Foods Solution
When you want to find a natural way to help lower your cholesterol levels, Step One Foods is your solution. With various snacks to choose from, you can enjoy a tasty treat that is also healthy for your heart. Step One Foods delivers the four key nutrients that target the root cause of high cholesterol, and you simply have to incorporate two snacks per day into your diet. Take step one to better health and try Step One Foods for yourself!