Pravachol

Generic name: Pravastatin

Pravastatin tablets

What are pravastatin tablets?

PRAVASTATIN (Pravachol®) blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. Pravastatin can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. Generic pravastatin tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol problem
• any hormone disorder (such as diabetes, under-active thyroid)
• blood salt imbalance
• infection
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• muscle disorder or condition
• recent surgery
• seizures (convulsions)
• severe injury
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pravastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take pravastatin tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. The usual pravastatin dose is taken once a day. You can take pravastatin with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with pravastatin?

• alcohol-containing beverages
• cyclosporine
• herbal medicines such as red yeast rice
• itraconazole
• medicines to lower cholesterol or triglycerides (examples: cholestyramine, clofibrate, colestipol, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, niacin)
• orlistat

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking pravastatin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• dark yellow or brown urine
• decreased urination, difficulty passing urine
• fever
• muscle pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• skin rash, itching
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness
• flu-like symptoms
• headache

What should I watch for while taking pravastatin?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may need to have blood tests drawn to make sure your liver is working properly.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness.

Pravastatin is only part of a total cholesterol-lowering program. Your physician or dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet that will reduce your risk of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking pravastatin.

This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.