pravastatin – oral, Pravachol

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GENERIC NAME: PRAVASTATIN – ORAL (PRAV-uh-stat-in)

BRAND NAME(S): Pravachol

USES: Pravastatin is used with a proper diet to lower "bad" cholesterol and fats like LDL and triglycerides, and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs called "statins" and works by reducing the cholesterol produced by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides while raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks. In addition to a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, other lifestyle changes that can improve the effectiveness of this medication include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and quitting smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication orally with or without food, usually once daily. For best results, take it in the evening. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be using. Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take pravastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after these medications. These products can interact with pravastatin and hinder its absorption. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit and remember to take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not experience symptoms. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding diet and exercise, as it may take up to 4 weeks to see the full benefits of this drug.

SIDE EFFECTS: Your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefits outweigh the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects. A small number of people may experience mild memory problems or confusion. If you develop these rare effects, consult your doctor. This drug may occasionally cause muscle problems that can lead to serious conditions such as rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms during treatment and if they persist after your doctor stops this drug. Symptoms may include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), and changes in urine production. This medication may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any serious side effects such as yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, or persistent nausea/vomiting, seek medical attention. A serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for any other effects not listed here.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking pravastatin, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially liver disease, kidney disease, and alcohol use. Inform your doctor or dentist about all the products you use before having surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Limit alcohol consumption as daily use with pravastatin may increase the risk of liver problems. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems. This medication must not be used during pregnancy as it may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include colchicine and cyclosporine. Avoid taking any red yeast rice products while using pravastatin, as they may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking pravastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase the risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Periodically perform laboratory and/or medical tests, such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details on how to safely discard the product.

Information last revised February 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.

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