According to the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, the focus of primary prevention is on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Comparison guidelines are available in the organization's 2016 United States cholesterol treatment update. It also provides treatment recommendations for primary prevention of ASCVD for those with LDL cholesterol greater than or equal to 190 mg/dL and those with or without diabetes mellitus. Recommendations also are provided for secondary prevention for those with established ASCVD and for those who are older than 75 years of age. For each category, treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) is the recommendation.[1]

In adults, indications for fluvastatin include hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. It helps to decrease the amount of total blood cholesterol. The primary purpose of the therapy is to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides and to increase blood concentrations of high-density lipoproteins. When used together with a low-fat diet, a weight-loss program, and exercise, fluvastatin may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.

In children and adolescents between 10 and 16 years of age, fluvastatin is indicated for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The indication is for those who are unresponsive to dietary restriction, and their LDL cholesterol remains greater than 190 mg/dL. It also is indicated when dietary restrictions have failed, and the individual's LDL cholesterol is greater than 160 mg/dL plus the individual has a positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease or has two or more cardiovascular risk factors. Females must be post-menarche for at least one year to meet the criteria for fluvastatin use. In those less than ten years of age, the safety and efficacy of fluvastatin have not been established.

Fluvastatin is a member of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug class. HMG-CoA reductase, the first committed enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, plays a role in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Statins competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase. Because they are molecularly similar in structure to HMG-CoA, they fit into the enzyme's active site. This binding creates competition with the native substrate, HMG-CoA. In turn, there is a reduction in the rate by which HMG-CoA reductase can produce mevalonate. Mevalonate is the next molecule in the cascade that eventually produces cholesterol. Moreover, the lowering of blood cholesterol concentrations by fluvastatin causes an increase in the expression of LDL receptors on the liver hepatocytes and enhanced stimulation of LDL breakdown.[2]

The bioavailability of the fluvastatin capsule is 24%, and the extended-release tablet is 29%. Fluvastatin metabolism is via the hepatic P450 enzyme CYP2C9.[3] Ninety-five percent of the drug is excreted in feces, with the remaining 5% excreted in the urine.[4]

Fluvastatin's ability to block cholesterol synthesis in the liver is significant because circulating cholesterol primarily derives from internal production rather than from diet. The fluvastatin capsule is a low-intensity statin because it lowers LDL cholesterol by less than 30%. The fluvastatin extended-release tablet is a moderate-intensity statin because it lowers LDL cholesterol between 30% and 50%.[5] High-intensity statins reduce LDL cholesterol by greater than or equal to 50%, e.g., atorvastatin.

Fluvastatin typically is taken orally once daily, with or without food, at around the same time every day. It also may be taken twice a day. Fluvastatin immediate-release capsules have a relatively short half-life of 3 hours. Because cholesterol synthesis takes place primarily at night, the thinking is that fluvastatin capsules are most effective when taken at night. The extended-release tablets have a half-life of 9 hours, and dosing can be at any time of the day.

For adults with hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia, the starting dose of fluvastatin immediate-release capsules is 20 mg in the evening if the LDL cholesterol-lowering goal is less than 25%. The starting dose is 40 mg in the evening or twice a day if the LDL cholesterol-lowering goal is more than 25%. The maintenance dose is 20 to 80 mg per day. Of note, patients should not take two 40 mg immediate-release capsules at one time. The fluvastatin 80 mg extended-release tablets are taken once a day, at any time of day.

For children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia who are between 10 and 16 years of age, the starting dose of fluvastatin immediate-release capsules is 20 mg orally once a day. The maintenance dose is 20 to 80 mg per day. The maximum dose is 40 mg twice a day (immediate-release) and 80 mg once a day (extended-release).

Fluvastatin adverse effects[6][7]:

• General: Fatigue
• Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, myalgia, myositis, and rhabdomyolysis
• Skin: Rash, dermatitis, pruritis, and eczema
• Neurologic: Headache, dizziness, forgetfulness, confusion, and neuropathy
• Psychiatric: Insomnia
• Endocrine: Increased risk of diabetes mellitus
• Eyes: Ophthalmoplegia
• Ear, nose, and throat: Sinusitis, rhinitis, and pharyngitis
• Pulmonary: Interstitial lung disease and bronchitis
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, cirrhosis, anorexia, and  fatal and nonfatal hepatic failure
• Genitourinary: Urinary tract infection
• Reproductive: Erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia
• Laboratory abnormalities: Increased liver transaminases and increased creatine phosphokinase

The use of fluvastatin is contraindicated in patients who have a hypersensitivity to the drug. Other contraindications are active liver disease or unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases. Its use also is contraindicated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Potentially serious drug interactions may exist with fluvastatin, requiring that the dose or frequency of administration be adjusted. Drug interactions include combining fluvastatin with a fibrate, niacin, or a protease inhibitor. Combining fluvastatin with these drugs increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The prescriber should obtain a complete medication list from the patient before prescribing fluvastatin.

There are numerous cautions for the use of fluvastatin that bear consideration when a patient is taking the medication as prescribed. Adverse cognitive effects are reversible upon cessation of the drug. Caution is necessary for patients with heavy alcohol use, renal failure, or a history of liver disease. Because there is an increase in the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, prescribers should exercise caution if a patient has increased blood glucose concentrations or increased hemoglobin A1c concentrations.