Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Sandoz Fluvastatin.
Alcohol: People who drink large quantities of alcohol should be closely monitored by their doctor while they are taking Sandoz Fluvastatin.
Diabetes: Fluvastatin, like other medications in this class, may cause a loss of blood glucose control, and glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Sandoz Fluvastatin.
If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Fluvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Fluvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of increased blood sugar, such as increased thirst, need to urinate more often or a fruity odour to your breath, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Kidney Disease: There is little experience with the use of fluvastatin by people with severe kidney disease. It is currently not recommended for people with severely decreased kidney function.
Liver effects: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Sandoz Fluvastatin to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Fluvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Fluvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Sandoz Fluvastatin.
Sandoz Fluvastatin may also cause liver damage or liver failure. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Muscle effects: In rare cases, serious muscle damage has been associated with the use of statin medications (i.e., cholesterol-lowering drugs whose names end in "statin," such as Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, or Simvastatin), especially at higher doses. Before taking Sandoz Fluvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- are over the age of 70
- are frail
- are taking other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fibrates (Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate) or Niacin
- are taking other medications, including prescription, non-prescription, and natural health products, as drug interactions are possible
- do large amounts of physical exercise
- have very Low Blood Pressure
- have a severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders
- have sepsis (blood infection)
- have uncontrolled Epilepsy
- have a family history of muscular disorders
- have diabetes
- have had any past problems with the muscles (pain, tenderness) after taking a statin
- have kidney or liver problems
- have Thyroid problems
- have undergone surgery or other tissue injury
- regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks daily
Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps, or any brown or discoloured urine to your doctor immediately, particularly if you are also experiencing malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) or fever.
Pregnancy: Fluvastatin should not be taken by pregnant women. If you become pregnant while taking fluvastatin, stop taking the medication immediately and contact your doctor.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if fluvastatin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Sandoz Fluvastatin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of Sandoz Fluvastatin have not been established for children less than 10 years old.
Seniors: If you are older than 70 years of age, your doctor will likely monitor you closely for muscle-related side effects.
