Brand name:
Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium )
Pronounced: PRAV-a-coll
Generic name: Pravastatin sodium
Why is Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) prescribed?

Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it along with a cholesterol-lowering diet if your blood cholesterol level is dangerously high and you have not been able to lower it by diet alone.

High cholesterol can lead to heart problems. By lowering your cholesterol, Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) improves your chances of avoiding a heart attack, heart surgery, and death from heart disease. In people who already have hardening of the arteries, it slows progression of the disease and cuts the risk of acute attacks.

The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. For people at high risk of heart disease, current guidelines call for considering drug therapy when LDL levels reach 130. For people at lower risk, the cut-off is 160. For those at little or no risk, it's 190.

Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) can also be prescribed for children ages 8 and older when diet alone fails to lower their cholesterol levels.
Most important fact about Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium )

Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight-loss fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important to remember that Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) is a supplement--not a substitute--for those other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor. All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important because together they may lower your risk of heart disease.
How should you take Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium )?

For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as Questran or Colestid. However, you must not take Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) at the same time of day as the other cholesterol-lowering drug. Take Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking the other drug.

Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) should be taken once daily. You may take it anytime, with or without food.Your doctor will probably do blood tests for cholesterol levels every 4 weeks to determine the effectiveness of the dose.

If you miss a dose...

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Storage instructions Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) (Pravastatin, Lipostat, Pravachol)

Store at room temperature, in a tightly closed container, away from moisture and light.
Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) side effects

Side effects from Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ).

* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, chest pain, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, gas, headache, heartburn, inflammation of nasal passages, muscle aching or weakness, nausea, rash, stomach or intestinal discomfort, urinary problems, vomiting

Why should Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) not be prescribed?

Do not take Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) if you are sensitive or have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Do not take Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) if you have liver disease.
Special warnings about Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium )

Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) should not be used to try to lower high cholesterol that stems from a medical condition such as alcoholism, poorly controlled diabetes, an underactive thyroid gland, or a kidney or liver problem.

Because Pravachol ( Prava, pravastatin sodium ) may cause damage to the liver, your doctor will probably do blood tests before you start taking the drug and whenever he plans a dosage increase. The doctor should monitor you especially carefully if you've recently had liver disease, if you have any symptoms that might mean liv