Pravachol Uses

Common Pravachol uses include the treatment of high cholesterol and high triglycerides, as well as the prevention of heart disease. The medication has also been shown to decrease the chances of a having a heart attack, having a stroke, or needing a heart procedure such as angioplasty or open heart surgery.

 

Pravachol Uses: An Overview

 Pravachol® (pravastatin sodium) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions. These Pravachol uses are as follows:
 
High Cholesterol or High Triglycerides Treatment
Pravachol is used for treating high cholesterol in people who cannot lower cholesterol through lifestyle changes. Pravachol can lower total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol"), as well as increase HDL ("good cholesterol"). Pravachol has also been shown to lower triglyceride levels in the blood. Triglycerides are the main storage form of fat in the body.
 
Prevention of Heart Disease
Pravachol is also used to decrease the chances of developing heart disease in those without existing coronary heart disease but with high cholesterol. In this group of people, Pravachol has been shown to decrease the chances of:
 
In people with heart disease, Pravachol has also been shown to decrease the chances of developing several conditions, including:
 
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke or transient ischemic stroke (known also as a TIA or "mini-stroke")
  • Loss of life from a heart or blood vessel-related problem (cardiovascular disease)
  • Conditions in which a heart procedure, such as angioplasty or open heart surgery, is necessary.
     
It also has been shown to decrease the rate at which atherosclerosis develops in those with existing heart disease.
 
(Pravachol Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;