Lescol

If your risk of muscle and/or kidney damage suddenly increases because of major surgery or injury, or conditions such as low blood pressure, severe infection, or seizures, your doctor may tell you to stop taking Lescol for a while.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Lescol

If you take Lescol with certain drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Lescol with the following:

• Cholestyramine
• Cimetidine
• Clofibrate
• Cyclosporine
• Diclofenac
• Digoxin
• Erythromycin
• Gemfibrozil
• Glyburide
• Niacin
• Omeprazole
• Phenytoin
• Ranitidine
• Rifampin

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

You must not become pregnant while taking Lescol. This medication lowers cholesterol, and cholesterol is needed for a baby to develop properly. Because of the possible risk of birth defects, your doctor will prescribe Lescol only if you are highly unlikely to get pregnant while taking this medication. If you do become pregnant while taking Lescol, stop taking the drug and notify your doctor right away.

Lescol does appear in breast milk. Therefore, Lescol could cause severe side effects in a nursing baby. Do not take Lescol while breastfeeding your baby.

Recommended dosage for Lescol

Your doctor will put you on a cholesterol-lowering diet before starting treatment with Lescol. You should continue on this diet while you are taking Lescol.

ADULTS

Lescol Capsules

The usual starting dose is 20 to 40 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose at bedtime. The usual range after that is 20 to 80 milligrams per day. At the 80-milligram level, the dosage will be split into two 40-milligram doses taken 2 times a day. If you have kidney disease, doses over 40 milligrams should be used with caution. After 4 weeks of therapy with Lescol, your doctor will check your cholesterol level and adjust your dosage if necessary.

Lescol XL Tablets

The usual starting dose is one 80-milligram XL tablet taken as a single dose at bedtime. After 4 months of therapy with Lescol XL, your doctor will check your cholesterol level and adjust your dosage if necessary.

Combined Drug Therapy

If you are taking Lescol capsules with another cholesterol medication such as Questran, make sure you take the other drug at least 2 hours before your dose of Lescol.

CHILDREN

Do not give Lescol to children under 18 years of age.

Overdosage

Excessive doses of Lescol can cause a variety of stomach and intestinal problems. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.