Information About Pravastatin (Pravachol)

Pravastatin (brand name: Pravachol) is a cholesterol-lowering medication that belongs to the statin class of drugs. Like other statins, Pravastatin affects all aspects of your cholesterol profile: It lowers LDL and triglycerides and raises HDL. Pravastatin is currently available in a generic form, as well as combined in a pack with aspirin under the tradename Pravigard.

Pravastatin blocks an enzyme known as "3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase," which is an important protein needed in the production of cholesterol.

This medication may be taken with or without food, as directed by your healthcare provider. This medication should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, since this can increase the amount of pravastatin in the blood and, therefore, increase the incidence of side effects.

The following individuals should not take pravastatin:

• Those who have had an allergic reaction to pravastatin or any of its components.
  
• Women who are pregnant.
  
• Women who are breastfeeding.
  
• Those who have active liver disease or have abnormally high liver enzyme levels.
  
• Those who have a history of alcohol abuse.

The most common side effects include headache, chest pain, rash, fatigue, muscle pain, dizziness, cough, gastrointestinal problems (such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or heartburn).

The following are serious side effects of pravastatin. If you experience any of these rare side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• Myopathy - such as progressive muscle soreness or weakness
  
• Red- or brown-colored urine

The following drugs may interact with pravastatin, increasing the likelihood of experiencing side effects (especially myopathy). With the exception of cholesterol-lowering drugs listed below, the remaining drugs also increase levels of pravastatin in your body. If you are required to take one of the drugs listed below, your healthcare provider may need to adjust your dose, monitor you more closely for side effects, or discontinue one of the drugs:

• Cholesterol lowering drugs (nicotinic acid, fibrates)
  
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
  
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
  
• Efavirenz (Sustiva)
  
• Quinupristin and dalfopristin (Synercid)
  
• HIV Protease Inhibitors - ritonavir (Norvir), amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept)

The following drugs may interact with pravastatin by decreasing the amount of pravasatin in the body:

• St. John's Wort can lower levels of pravastatin in the blood.
  
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs, like bile acid sequestrants, may reduce the absorption of pravastatin into the blood. In order to avoid this, separate your pravastatin dose and bile acid sequestrant dose by at least four hours.

Disclaimer

This information is just a brief listing and it not inclusive and should not replace the information provided by your healthcare provider or the manufacturer of this drug.

_Sources:

Dipiro JT, Talbert RL. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiological Approach, 6th ed 2005.

Lacy CF, Armstrong LL, Goldman MP, et al. Lexicomp's Drug Information Handbook, 15th ed 2007.