Pravachol Precautions and Warnings

Some Pravachol Precautions and Warnings

Some precautions and warnings to be aware of with Pravachol include:
 
  • If you are an alcoholic or drink alcohol frequently, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to starting Pravachol. Alcohol can affect the way the liver works, indirectly affecting the Pravachol.
     
  • Statins have been known to cause an increase in liver enzymes (which may be a sign of liver problems). Therefore, it is recommended that you have a blood test that looks at your liver function before starting Pravachol and several months after treatment has started. These tests may also be recommended if the Pravachol dosage is changed (see Pravachol and Liver Problems).
     
  • Rhabdomyolysis (the severe breakdown of muscles) and other serious muscle problems have rarely been reported with Pravachol and other statins. Make sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill (see Pravachol and Muscle Pain for more information).
     
  • Pravachol may interact with some other medications (see Pravachol Drug Interactions).
     
  • Pravachol is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that the medicine could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. The safety of Pravachol in pregnant women has not been established. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider immediately (see Pravachol and Pregnancy).
     
  • Pravachol passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Pravachol and Breastfeeding).
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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