Pravastatin (Pravachol)
DESCRIPTION
Pravastatin is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Pravastatin is an inhibitor in cholesterol biosynthesis.Type of medication:
Part of group of medications called statinsPHARMACOLOGY
Pravastatin lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver, Pravastatin also reduces LDL cholesterol production. Pravastatin reduces LDL cholesterol in patients with familial. Elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, promote human atherosclerosis. Decreased levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Pravastatin reduces total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol also in nonfamilial forms of hypercholesterolemia. Pravastatin also reduces VLDL cholesterol and Trigyceride and produces increases in HDL cholesterolINDICATIONS
Pravastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and Triglyceride levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Pravastatin is indcated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the treatment of patients with elevated serum triglyceride. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple-risk-factor intervention in individuals at increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Lipid-altering agents should be used in addition to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol only when the response to diet and other nonpharmacological measures has been inadequate.The most common side effects are:
· Nausea· Diarrhea
· Constipation
· Muscle aching
Two potentially serious side effects are:
Elevated liver enzymes. Occasionally, Lipitor use causes an increase in liver enzymes. If the increase is only mild, you can continue to take the drug. If the increase is severe, you may need to stop taking it, which usually reverses the problem. Because liver problems may develop without symptoms, people who take statins should have their liver function tested periodically.
Statin myopathy. Lipitor may cause muscle pain and tenderness (statin myopathy). In severe cases, muscle cells can break down (rhabdomyolysis) and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin can impair kidney function and lead to kidney failure. Avoid taking statins with grapefruit juice, which alters your body's metabolism of these drugs. Also, doctors generally recommend that people take statins late in the day because the body makes most of its cholesterol at night.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases. Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication.Pregnancy and Lactation
Statins are contraindicated during pregnancy and in nursing mothers. If the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, therapy should be discontinued and the patient apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.Cash Advance - Adult Enuresis - Free Vacation for Car Donation - Magnesium Vitamin - REO Success Stories