Fluvastatin

Abstract

Fluvastatin was the first wholly synthetic statin to the market and is effective in reducing total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, which translates into reductions in coronary heart disease events. The Lescol Intervention Prevention Study has established the effectiveness of the early use of statins in reducing recurrent events in high-risk patients with coronary heart disease post percutaneous coronary interventions. Fluvastatin is well-tolerated with few side effects. The occurrence of significant abnormalities in liver enzymes is infrequent, and the risk of myositis and rhabdomyolysis seems to be less than with other statins. There have been no reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis to date. The potential for drug interactions with fluvastatin is low. It seems safe in combination with cyclosporin and there have been few reports of rhabdomyolysis when using fluvastatin in combination with other lipid-lowering agents. It is nevertheless important to be vigilant for this potentially important side effect and, as with other statins, inform patients of the potential risk and suggestive symptoms. Fluvastatin provides a useful option in treating hypercholesterolaemia in patients at high risk of coronary heart disease.