Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Lescol (FLUVASTATIN)

Fluvastatin sodium inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol biosynthesis and increasing LDL receptor activity, lowering plasma cholesterol.

Lescol (Fluvastatin) is a small molecule HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor developed by Novartis, targeting the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase enzyme. It was FDA approved in 1993 for various indications including arteriosclerotic vascular disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Lescol is off-patent with multiple generic manufacturers available. It has a short half-life of 0.7 hours and 24% bioavailability. As a HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor, Lescol is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Fluvastatin sodium works by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is crucial for cholesterol production. This leads to less cholesterol being made in the liver, which then triggers the liver to take more cholesterol out of the bloodstream, ultimately reducing overall cholesterol levels.

Approved indications

• Arteriosclerotic vascular disease
• Familial hypercholesterolemia - heterozygous
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Mixed hyperlipidemia
• Slow Progression of Coronary Artery Disease

Common side effects

• Myalgia
• Arthritis
• Arthropathy
• Sinusitis
• Bronchitis
• Dyspepsia
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Insomnia
• Urinary Tract Infection

Drug interactions

• fenofibrate
• gemfibrozil
• nelfinavir
• nicotinic acid
• phenytoin
• warfarin

Key clinical trials

• Safety of Fluvastatin-Celebrex Association in Low-grade and High Grade Optico-chiasmatic Gliomas (PHASE1)
• A Trial of HRS-2189 in Combination With Fluvastatin±HRS-6209, or HRS-8080±HRS-6209, or HRS-6209+HRS-1358 in Breast Cancer Patients (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• Statins Effect on Incidence of Side Effects of Platinum Based Chemotherapy (PHASE1,PHASE2)
• LATAM LOWERS LDL-C (PHASE4)
• Bioequivalence Study of Fluvastatin Sodium Extended Release Tablets in Healthy Participants (PHASE1)
• Statins in Frail Older Patients with Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack - the Prospective Cohort Study
• StAtins in Frail OldEr Patients with Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack - the Randomized Controlled Trial (PHASE4)
• A 12 Week Study of MK0653A in Patients Who Have Been Hospitalized for a Possible Heart Problem (0653A-808) (PHASE3)

Primary sources

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