Fluvastatin tablets and capsules

About fluvastatin

I lipidi, o grassi, sono prodotti naturalmente nel tuo corpo a partire dal cibo che mangi. Sono facilmente immagazzinati nel tuo corpo e servono come fonte di energia. Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of lipid. If the concentration of these lipids in your blood becomes too high, it leads to a condition called iperlipidemia. When the concentration of cholesterol becomes too high, it is called ipercolesterolemia. Sebbene un'alta concentrazione di lipidi nel sangue non ti faccia sentire male, può causare un problema se non viene trattata.

Le persone con alti livelli di lipidi possono sviluppare piccole macchie grasse chiamate ateromi. Queste placche si sviluppano quando il grasso in eccesso si deposita sulle pareti dei vasi sanguigni. Nel tempo, queste placche possono restringere un vaso sanguigno e questo è chiamato aterosclerosi (a volte indicato come 'indurimento delle arterie'). Il restringimento riduce il flusso sanguigno attraverso l'arteria e aumenta il rischio di una serie di malattie cardiache e dei vasi sanguigni, come attacco di cuore e ictus.

Fluvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It regulates the amount of cholesterol and other lipids made by your body. It does this by blocking the action of a certain enzyme (called HMG-CoA reductase) which your body needs to make the fats. This lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Fluvastatin can also reduce the risk of a heart attack after coronary angioplasty, which is a procedure used to open up blocked blood vessels of the heart.

Fluvastatin is available as two strengths of capsule (20 mg and 40 mg), and as one strength of modified-release tablet (80 mg) which has a more prolonged action.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking fluvastatin it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato, o se hai mai avuto una malattia che ha colpito il tuo fegato.

• Se hai una ghiandola tiroidea ipoattiva.

• Se hai un problema con dolori muscolari inspiegabili o se tu (o un parente stretto) hai mai avuto un disturbo muscolare.

• Se bevi regolarmente grandi quantità di alcol.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.
  

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about fluvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take fluvastatin exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usually taken once a day, although some people on higher doses may be asked to take two doses a day. Your doctor will tell you what dose to take each day, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you. Capsules of fluvastatin reduce blood lipid levels best when they are taken in the evening. Fluvastatin tablets can be taken at any time of day, although it is best if you take your doses at the same time of day each day.

• Swallow the tablets/capsules whole with a drink of water. You can take fluvastatin before or after food.

• If you forget to take a dose, leave out the missed dose but make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so that your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have some blood tests from time to time. These are to measure your lipid levels and also to check that your liver has not been affected by taking fluvastatin.

• Il tuo medico ti darà consigli su come seguire una dieta sana, ridurre la quantità di alcol che bevi normalmente, diminuire la quantità di sale nella tua dieta, smettere di fumare e fare esercizio fisico regolarmente. Seguire questi consigli ti aiuterà anche a ridurre il rischio di sviluppare malattie cardiache e dei vasi sanguigni.

• Women taking fluvastatin must avoid getting pregnant. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner.

• Treatment with fluvastatin is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You should continue to take it regularly.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with fluvastatin, although these tend to be mild. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to fluvastatin, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.