Pravachol (pravastatin) is in a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Pravastatin reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL).
Pravachol is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
Pravachol is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors
Pravachol is used in adults and children who are at least 8 years old.
Pravachol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not take Pravachol if you are allergic to pravastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease. Stop taking Pravachol and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Before taking Pravachol, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder, or if you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.
In rare cases, Pravachol can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Pravachol will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.
There are many other drugs that can increase your risk of serious medical problems if you take them together with Pravachol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Pravachol is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Pravachol if you are allergic to pravastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.
To make sure you can safely take Pravachol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
In rare cases, Pravachol can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them:
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gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Lipofen, Lofibra, Tricor, Triglide);
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medicines that contain niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others); or
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drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).
FDA pregnancy category X. Pravachol can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not take Pravachol if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking Pravachol. Pravastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Pravachol.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How should I take Pravachol?
Take Pravachol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Pravachol is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
You may need to stop using Pravachol for a short time if you have:
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uncontrolled seizures;
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an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood);
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severely low blood pressure;
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a severe infection or illness; or
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surgery or a medical emergency.
To be sure Pravachol is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Pravachol is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
You may need to take Pravachol on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
If you also take cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid), avoid taking them within 1 hour after or 4 hours before you take Pravachol.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Pravachol will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Pravachol. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Pravachol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Pravachol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Pravachol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
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confusion, memory problems;
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fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
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chest pain;
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increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss);
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swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
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nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious Pravachol side effects may include:
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headache;
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mild muscle pain;
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diarrhea;
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mild skin rash; or
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dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Pravachol?
Before taking Pravachol, tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially:
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
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spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide); or
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any other "statin" medication such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Pravachol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
