Pravachol to Lower High Cholesterol

Prescription Pravachol Cholesterol Lowering Drug Information

Pravastatin (Pravachol) is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.
Pravachol is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What side effects can Pravachol cause?

Although side effects from Pravachol are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas
• stomach pain or cramps
• diarrhea
• constipation
• heartburn
• headache
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• rash or itching
• upset stomach

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with or without fever and excessive tiredness

How should Pravachol be used to lower cholesterol?

Pravachol comes in tablets to take by mouth. It usually is is taken once a day at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Pravachol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take Pravachol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Pravachol without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow when taking Pravachol?

Before taking Pravachol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Pravachol or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, cholestyramine (Questran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), erythromycin, gemfibrozil (Lopid), itraconazole (Sporanox), niacin, and vitamins.
• if you are taking cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid), take Pravachol at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medications.
• tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or heart disease; a severe infection; low blood pressure; or seizures.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Pravachol, stop taking Pravachol and call your doctor immediately. Pravachol can harm the fetus.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Pravachol.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol increases the side effects caused by Pravachol.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Pravachol may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What special dietary instructions should I follow when on Pravachol cholesterol medication?

Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines (corn, safflower, canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.

What should I do if I forget a dose of Pravachol?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What storage conditions are needed for Pravachol?

Keep Pravachol in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of Pravachol.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.