Pravachol

Pravachol Medication

What Is Pravachol?

Pravachol^® (pravastatin sodium) is a prescription medication used for treating or preventing a number of conditions related to heart disease. Such uses include but are not limited to:

Treatment of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia).
Treatment of high triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are the main storage form of fat in the body.
Prevention of heart disease and heart-related problems.

It has also been approved for use in children ages 8 to 18 years old with a certain genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.

(Click Pravachol Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Pravachol?

It is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

How Does It Work?

Pravachol is part of a class of drugs called

statins. It works by blocking a particular enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. It also:

Increases the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol")
Increases HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol")
Decreases triglycerides.

Clinical Effects

In previous research studies, people taking Pravachol 20 mg were able to, on average, decrease LDL cholesterol by 32 percent, total cholesterol by 24 percent, and triglycerides by 11 percent. HDL increased by 2 percent. The effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels were generally greater with higher doses of the medication.

When and How to Take Pravachol

Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:

Pravachol is available in tablet form and is taken by mouth once daily. Unlike some other statin medications, it can be taken at any time during the day.
To maintain even levels of Pravachol in your body, make sure to take it at the same time each day.
This medication can be taken with or without food. If it seems to bother your stomach, try taking your dosage with a little food.
For Pravachol to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.

Dietary Instructions

There are no dietary restrictions with Pravachol. As with any cholesterol medication, you should continue to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as part of your treatment program to lower cholesterol.

Dosing Information for Pravachol

The dosage of Pravachol your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

Your age
The medical condition being treated
Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you may be currently taking.

As is always the case with any medicine, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Pravachol Dosage for more information.)

Are There Side Effects?

As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Pravachol. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the medicine well. If side effects occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. If side effects do occur, most people do not need to stop taking the medicine.

The most common side effects include:

Nausea and vomiting
Common cold
Headache
Diarrhea
Unexplained rash
Constipation
Muscle or joint pain (see Pravachol and Muscle Pain or Pravachol and Joint Pain).

Rare side effects include but are not limited to:

Muscle aches/weakness (see Pravachol and Muscle Aches)
Memory loss (see Pravachol and Memory Loss)
Increased liver enzymes (see Pravachol and Liver Problems).

Weight gain and depression are not known side effects of Pravachol (see Pravachol and Weight Gain and Pravachol and Depression).

Keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign of a serious, life-threatening muscle problem.

(Click Pravachol Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)

Drug Interactions With Pravachol

Pravachol can potentially interact with a number of medications (see Pravachol Drug Interactions for more information).

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking Pravachol, you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:

Liver disease or liver failure
Kidney disease or kidney failure
A history of heart attack or stroke
Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Let your healthcare provider know if you:

Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Pravachol and Pregnancy)
Are breastfeeding (see Pravachol and Breastfeeding)
Will be undergoing a procedure or surgery
Drink alcohol frequently.

Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Pravachol Precautions and Warnings for more information, including information on who should not take the drug.)

Alternatives to Pravachol

In general, cholesterol treatment begins with lifestyle changes (weight loss, exercise, and a low-cholesterol diet). If lifestyle changes do not lower cholesterol to a desirable level, cholesterol medication such as Pravachol may be necessary.

The main goal of high cholesterol medication is to lower LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce your risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol, such as heart disease or a heart attack (see Effects of High Cholesterol). The higher your risk, the lower your LDL goal will be.

(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see a list of risk factors that may affect your cholesterol level, as well as a list of ideal LDL cholesterol levels.)

Because Pravachol can lower LDL cholesterol (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing HDL), people can lower their risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol by taking it.

For most people, Pravachol is quite effective in lowering cholesterol. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider a substitute. These substitutes could include other statins or other cholesterol medicines.

(Click Pravachol Alternatives to learn more about substitutes for Pravachol.)

What If I Take an Overdose?

If you happen to overdose on Pravachol, seek medical attention immediately. It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose (see Pravachol Overdose for more information).

How Should Pravachol Be Stored?

Pravachol should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your Pravachol as scheduled, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and take your next dose instead. Do not take a double dose.

Available Strengths

Pravachol tablets are available in several strengths. These include:

Pravachol 10 mg
Pravachol 20 mg
Pravachol 40 mg
Pravachol 80 mg.

Generic Pravachol

A generic version of Pravachol is available (see Generic Pravachol for more information.)