Pravachol

Product Information
Pravachol, the brand name for the generic drug Pravastatin sodium is a cholesterol-lowering drug which is prescribed in conjunction with a low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise. The drug which is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, blocks the production of cholesterol and works by reducing the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels can lead to heart problems; and by lowering your cholesterol, Pravachol improves your chances of avoiding a heart attack, heart surgery, and death from heart disease. It also prevents hardening of the arteries, and also helps in the increase of HDL 'good' cholesterol. Pravachol is one of the most studied cholesterol-lowering drug or statins in clinical trials.

Drug Class - Statins

Brand Name - Pravachol

How to Use

• Take Pravachol exactly as prescribed and directed by your doctor.
• Pravachol should be taken with a glass of water, preferably at bedtime or with an evening meal for best results.
• You can expect best results with Pravachol, if you avoid fatty and high cholesterol foods.
• Once you start taking Pravachol, use it regularly and do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor.
• Have regular monitoring of blood cholesterol levels so that the right dosage of Pravachol may be prescribed.

Side Effects
The Initial Adjustment: As your body adjusts to the medication, you may have

• Stomach or intestinal discomfort.
• Chest Pain.
• Constipation.
• Cough.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Flatulence.
• Headache.
• Heartburn.
• Inflammation of nasal passages.
• Muscle Aching or weakness.
• Nausea.
• Rash.
• Urinary Problems.

Consult a Doctor
Consult your doctor if these effects persist or you experience an allergic reaction like (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased urine or rust-colored urine and blurred vision.

Drug Interaction

• Use Pravachol after judging all possibilities of drug interaction.
• Consult your doctor and inform about all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you use.
• Avoid Pravachol if you on are medications such as
  • Cholestyramine (Questran)
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Colestipol (Colestid)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
• Pravachol also reacts with drugs that suppress the immune system, such as
  • Sandimmune and Neoral
  • Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)
  • Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox) Niacin (Niacor, Niaspan)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin)
• It is recommended that you avoid alcohol during treatment with Pravachol.

Precautions

• Precautions should be taken to guard against obscure possibilities if you are affected by medical condition such as poorly controlled diabetes, an under-active thyroid gland, or a kidney or liver problem.
• This drug is not recommended for use in children below eight years of age.
• Pravachol is included in the FDA pregnancy category X which means that the drug is known to cause birth defects in an unborn child. Therefore, it is suggested that Pravachol is not to be taken during pregnancy or those planning pregnancy.
• Pravachol passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take Pravachol if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Dosage

• The usual starting dose of Pravachol is 40 milligrams once a day.
• For people with kidney or liver problems and those taking a medication that suppresses the immune system, the starting dose is 10 milligrams.
• If this doesn't reduce LDL levels sufficiently, your doctor may increase the dose to 80 milligrams once daily.
• Pravachol is strictly advised to be used only under medical supervision so as to prevent probable drug interaction and possible side-effects.
• The dosage for the drug varies from person to person depending upon the body metabolism.

Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of a Pravachol overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.

Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is too late or almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Never take a double dose of this medication.

Storage
Pravachol should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep away from the reach of children.

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement and not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be interpreted to indicate that use of the drug is safe, apt, or effectual for you. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before using this drug.