Fluvastatin oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes fluvastatin oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for fluvastatin. If you want to know more about fluvastatin oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

Fluvastatin oral capsule is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Fluvastatin also comes in extended-release tablet taken by mouth. (“Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.) But the extended-release oral tablet isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strengths of fluvastatin

Fluvastatin oral capsule comes as follows:

• Form: oral capsule, which you’ll take by swallowing
• Strengths: 20 milligrams (mg), 40 mg

Dosage of fluvastatin

This article describes the recommended dosages for fluvastatin oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of fluvastatin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of fluvastatin in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of fluvastatin oral capsule. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of fluvastatin oral capsule that gives the desired outcome.

Doctors may prescribe fluvastatin oral capsule to lower:

• overall cholesterol, high cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and improve good cholesterol levels in adults with certain health conditions
• certain heart-related risks (such as heart attack, stroke, and the need for certain heart surgeries) in adults with certain heart-related risk factors

High cholesterol refers to high levels of a certain type of cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. LDL is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. Too much LDL causes plaque (fatty deposits) to build up in your blood vessels.

The “good” cholesterol refers to high-density lipoprotein or HDL. HDL helps to remove extra cholesterol in your body.

For these uses, fluvastatin oral capsule’s recommended dosage in adults is:

• Starting dosage: 40 mg once or twice per day
• Maintenance dosage: based on individual needs
• Maximum dosage: 80 mg per day

Dosage of fluvastatin in children

Fluvastatin is approved for use in children ages 10 years and older to lower overall cholesterol and high cholesterol levels in children with a certain type of inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolemia.

For this use, fluvastatin oral capsule’s recommended dosage in children is:

• Starting dosage: 20 mg once per day
• Maintenance dosage: based on individual needs
• Maximum dosage: 40 mg twice per day

Dosage adjustments for fluvastatin

Your doctor will adjust your dosage of fluvastatin oral capsule based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• whether you’re taking other medications that may interact with fluvastatin

Missed dose of fluvastatin

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of fluvastatin oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of fluvastatin oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about fluvastatin oral capsule and its dosage.

How does the dosage of fluvastatin compare with the dosage of lovastatin?

Both fluvastatin and lovastatin are used to treat certain high cholesterol levels. Lovastatin is available as immediate-release oral tablets in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg strengths. (“Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away.) The dosage of lovastatin ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg once daily or in two divided doses based on age and individual needs.

If you have questions about the dosage of fluvastatin compared with that of lovastatin, talk with your doctor.

Is fluvastatin taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe fluvastatin oral capsule as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take fluvastatin oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How fluvastatin is taken

You’ll swallow fluvastatin oral capsule once or twice per day. Fluvastatin can be taken with or without food. The fluvastatin oral capsule should be swallowed whole, and not opened.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Fluvastatin coupon

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Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

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Overdose of fluvastatin

It’s important that you do not take more fluvastatin oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects, including convulsions, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What to do if you take too much fluvastatin

If you think you’ve taken too much fluvastatin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for fluvastatin oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of fluvastatin oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take fluvastatin oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will you change my dosage of fluvastatin if I’m taking other medications?
• Will you change my fluvastatin dosage if my current dosage isn’t working for my condition?
• If I begin experiencing side effects, will you be adjusting my dosage of fluvastatin?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.