What is Pravachol?

Pravachol is an oral tablet consisting of a statins drug called pravastatin. We carry this medication in the brand choice and generic alternative in 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg!

What is Pravachol used for?

Typically, this medication is used along with diet to lower “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), to increase “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), and to lower triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol), at a high level, can raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. LDL is commonly high due to a high saturated fat diet. High density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) absorbs cholesterol and carries it to the liver where it will be flushed from the body. High levels of HDL will help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the body that is formed when calories are eaten and not used right away. They are then stored for later in the fat calls and will be used for energy in between meals. Having high triglycerides is commonly due to being obese, having uncontrolled diabetes, and eating a lot of sugary foods or drinking alcohol. High triglycerides can also lead to stroke, heart attack and heart disease, but may also lead to arteriosclerosis and pancreatitis.

How does Pravachol work?

Pravachol (pravastatin) is effective at increasing and decreasing “good” and “bad” cholesterol and lowering triglycerides because it is able to control and reduce the amount of cholesterol being produced by the liver.

Take Pravachol (pravastatin) exactly the way your doctor has directed you too. It is important to follow directions given by your doctor to not only avoid adverse interactions and side effects but also to allow for the most effective dose to treat your condition. If you forget how your doctor would like you to take Pravachol (pravastatin), you may be able to find instructions on the prescription bottle.

This medication is most commonly taken once a day, with or without food, as directed by your doctor. This tablet should be taken at the same time every day. Ensure you are having frequent blood tests done during treatment with Pravachol and completing the entire treatment plan, including diet and/or exercise.

Store at room temperature in an area that is low risk for moisture, heat, and light. Ensure the lid is tightly closed when not in use.

Do not use Pravachol (pravastatin)

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pravastatin, or if you have liver disease, abnormal liver function tests, a thyroid disorder, or if you drink 2 or more alcoholic drinks a day.

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Pravastatin can cause harm to the baby or may cause birth defects. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not breast feed while using this medication. This drug can pass into breast milk and has potential to harm a nursing infant.

Risks

This medication may cause the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which may result in kidney failure. This risk is higher in those who are older and have kidney disease or poorly controlled underactive thyroid.

You may need to temporarily stop taking this medication if you have uncontrolled seizures, an electrolyte imbalance, severely low blood pressure, a severe infection or illness, or surgery or a medical emergency.

Common side effects of Pravachol (pravastatin) may include:

• muscle or joint pain;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• headache; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Pravachol (pravastatin) may include:

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;

• fever, unusual tiredness;

• dark colored urine;

• chest pain;

• upper stomach pain, loss of appetite; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

What is pravastatin sodium?

Pravastatin sodium is the sodium salt of pravastatin. Before pravastatin is compressed into Pravachol tablets, it is first made into its existing salt form, which in the case of Pravachol, is sodium. If it wasn’t first turned into its salt form, it would not dissolve or absorb into the body very well and would therefore cause the medication to be less effective – if effective at all. So while pravastatin has beneficial effects, it must first be turned into its salt form (pravastatin sodium) in order for its benefits to work. To prevent confusion, pravastatin sodium is commonly referred to as just pravastatin. Pravastatin belongs to the drug class called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or “statins” for short.

What is pravastatin used for?

Pravastatin is most commonly used in patients with abnormal lipid levels, such as those with high cholesterol or triglycerides, but it may also be used for those with coronary heart disease and/or atherosclerosis. Pravastatin is used to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases; conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, such as a heart attack or stroke.

How does pravastatin work?

Pravastatin works to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting a certain enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) responsible for the production of cholesterol in the liver; this will significantly slow the livers production of cholesterol and as a result, reduces the amount of cholesterol in the body, slows plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

When to take pravastatin?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take the dose at a specific time of day, you may take your dose whenever is most convenient for you; however, it is suggested that you take your dose in the evening, and at the same time each day to ensure an even amount of the medication remains in your system. If you are unsure how or when to take this medication, contact your doctor as you need to have a clear understanding before proceeding with treatment.

Why do you have to take pravastatin at night?

It is widely suggested to take cholesterol medications at night as it may increase the efficacy of the medication. It is thought that your liver produces the most cholesterol during the night while you are asleep. Therefore, it is ideal to have the peak concentration of the drug reached at the same time that high cholesterol production is occurring. Since pravastatin has a short half-life (1-3 hours), the peak concentration of the drug is felt shortly after administration, therefore it is considered best to take before bed/in the evening.

What are the side effects of pravastatin?

Some common side effects of pravastatin may include muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache. These side effects should not alarm you; however, if they do not go away or become unmanageable, you should speak with your doctor.

What is the generic name for Pravachol?

The vast majority of generic medications are named after the active ingredient found in the brand-name medication that the generic is replicating. Pravastatin is the active ingredient found in Pravachol and is also the name of its generic alternative.

Who makes Pravachol?

Pravachol, the brand-name medication, is manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb, an American pharmaceutical company. The generic alternative, pravastatin, is manufactured by many generic manufacturing companies, such as TEVA Pharmaceuticals (India) and Biocon Ltd (Israel).