Pravastatin

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Pravastatin, drug used to lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream in cases when dietary changes, weight loss, and exercise are ineffective in lowering cholesterol. Pravastatin works by blocking the liver enzyme that controls the manufacture of cholesterol. It is primarily effective against low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the form of cholesterol associated with increased risk of heart disease.

Available only by prescription, tablets of pravastatin are taken with or without food, usually at bedtime. The typical dosage ranges between 10 and 40 mg per day. Typically, cholesterol levels begin falling four to six weeks after the medication is started. Pravastatin is often prescribed in combination with a cholesterol-lowering diet.

Pregnant or nursing women, or children under the age of 18, should not take pravastatin. Patients with liver or kidney disease, muscular disorders, cataracts, or a history of alcohol abuse should use this drug with caution. Pravastatin can cause damage to the liver or muscle tissue, although problems can usually be detected early using well-established laboratory tests.

Possible side effects of this drug include dizziness, headache, skin rash, itchiness, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, muscle cramps, or flulike symptoms. Pravastatin may be contraindicated for patients who are also taking the following drugs: cholestyramine, cimetidine, colestipol, cyclosporine, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, ketoconazole, niacin, warfarin, and immunosuppressive drugs.

Brand Name: Pravachol

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