This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Pravastatin Consumer Information
PRAVASTATIN
Generic Name: pravastatin (PRAH vah stah tin)
Brand Names: Pravachol
What is the most important information I should know about pravastatin?
- Do not take pravastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Alcohol and pravastatin can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if pravastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
- Do not take pravastatin if you are pregnant, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, flu-like symptoms, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
What is pravastatin?
- Pravastatin blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
- Pravastatin is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
- Pravastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take pravastatin?
- Do not take pravastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
- Before taking pravastatin, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease,
- drink alcoholic beverages,
- have a chronic muscular disease, or
- have a blood disorder.
- Your may not be able to take pravastatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Pravastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that pravastatin will cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important for the proper development of a baby. Do not take pravastatin if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
- Pravastatin passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing infant. Do not take pravastatin if you are breast-feeding a baby.
- Pravastatin is not approved for use by children younger than 18 years of age.
How should I take pravastatin?
- Take pravastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- For the greatest effect, pravastatin is usually taken at bedtime or with an evening meal. It may also be taken several times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
- Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with pravastatin and at twelve weeks after both the start of your treatment and any increase in dose. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine how much monitoring you will require.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To see beneficial effects from pravastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
- Do not stop taking pravastatin without first talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before beneficial effects are seen from this medication.
- Store pravastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a pravastatin overdose include nausea, diarrhea, stomach distress, and indigestion.
What should I avoid while taking pravastatin?
- Alcohol and pravastatin can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if pravastatin is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.