General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Pravastatin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner
Pravastatin is pronounced as: PRAV-uh-stat-in
Pravastatin is a lipid lowering drug belongs to HMG-coA reductase inhibitor. Pravastatin is also called as statin.
Pravastatin reduces the low density lipo protein (LDL) and total cholesterol there by it reduces the deposit of the fat in the blood vessels and hardening of arteries, the condition called heart disease which can lead to heart attack.
Take pravastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Do not take pravastatin more or longer than the prescribed time, follow the directions on the prescription label.
Pravastatin can be taken with or with out food with full glass of water. It is usually taken at bed time if the patient need to take more than once, it should be taken with food.
Do not skip any doses of pravastatin, continue to take it even you feel better. You must complete entire course of medication as instructed by your doctor.
- Always remember to inform your helath expert if you are currently taking any prescription drugs like
- Anti fungal agents like fluconazole, itraconazole. ketoconazole
- Immunosuppressant drugs like ciclosporin
- Other cholesterol lowering drugs like gemfibrozil, fenofibrate
- Inform your health care provider if you are suffering from any of the disease.
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetic
- Muscle disorder
- Inform your doctor if you take 3 or more alcoholic drinks in a day.
Pravastatin should not be taken by the patient who is suffering from acute liver disease and renal impairment.
Pravastatin should not be taken if you are breast feeding a baby.
Children: Pravastatin should not be given to children less than 8 years old.
Old people:
Pregnant woman:Pravastatinbelongs to FDA pregnancy category X. This means that pravastatin will cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. The use of this drug in pregnancy clearly outweighs any possible benefit. Do not use pravastatin if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women:Pravastatin passes into breast milk and harm nursing baby. Do not use pravastatin if you are breastfeeding your child.
Other: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking pravastatin.
Two forms of effective birth control are required while using pravastatin.
Pravastatin is available in the form of tablet.
Use pravastatin as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician
The common side effects for pravastatin are
- Head ache
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
If you experience any of the following side effects contact the doctor immediately
- Yellowing of eyes and skin
- Dark urine
- Sever fatigue
- Stomach pain
- Sever nausea
Store pravastatin at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Pravastatin alone can not help reduce the cholesterol level, strict diet, exercise and weight control is required for better results.
- Avoid eating foods which have high cholesterol. Avoid eating grape fruit or grape fruit juice which interact with pravastatin and casue dangerous side effects.
- Pravastatin you may need to take on long term basis if you have severe high cholesterol.
- To make sure pravastatin helping your condition you may need to do blood lipid profile test while taking the medication.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.