Cholesterol / Generic Pravachol

Pravachol(pravastatin) is used for:

Reducing high lipid levels and high cholesterol, with diet and exercise. It is also used to prevent certain heart problems, including slowing down the progression of hardening of the arteries in patients with heart disease. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pravachol is a beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin). It works by lowering the blood levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (bad) cholesterol by reducing their production by the liver. They also increase the blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (good) cholesterol.

Do NOT use Pravachol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Pravachol
• you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• you have liver disease or abnormal liver tests
• you are taking fibric acids (eg, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pravachol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Pravachol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you abuse alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you have low blood pressure; a muscle disease; a blood infection; a metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte problem; uncontrolled seizures; a severe infection; had a recent surgery, trauma, or organ transplant; or a high level of a creatine phosphokinase in your blood

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pravachol(pravastatin). Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cyclosporine or fibric acids (eg,gemfibrozil ,fenofibrate) because side effects such as severe muscle destruction may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pravachol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Pravachol :

Use Pravachol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Pravachol may be taken with or without food.
• Try to take Pravachol at the same time each day.
• Take Pravachol 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking bile-acid reducing resins (eg, cholestyramine, colestipol).
• If you miss a dose of Pravachol(pravastatin) , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pravachol.

Important safety information:

• Pravachol may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Pravachol. Using Pravachol alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• For best results, Pravachol should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight.
• Carefully follow the cholesterol-lowering diet given to you by your health care provider.
• Before having any kind of surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking Pravachol.
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Pravachol if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Pravachol is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Pravachol.

Possible side effects of Pravachol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Common cold; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; flu-like symptoms; gas; headache; heartburn; muscle aches; nausea; pain; rash; runny nose; soar throat; stomach pain; tiredness; urination problems (difficult or painful urination. frequent urination, frequent urination at night); unusual bleeding or bruising; vomiting; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; hoarseness; muscle cramps; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially when associated with fever and a general feeling of discomfort); sore throat; swelling of hands, eyes, or throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellowing of skin or eyes.