Pravachol (Oral)
Questions
| Reviews 
Splitting a 20mg Pravachol tablet
When splitting a 20 mg Pravachol tablet, will the release of the medication work the same way as taking it whole? My doctor wants me to add 10 mg to the 20 mg so as to take 30 mg a day. It would be less expensive to split the 20 mg tablet (Pravachol h...
by Helen Garrett in Kalamazoo, MI, 01/16/2006
Pravachol (Oral) Drug and Prescription Information
Pravachol (Oral)
Pravachol (Oral) Medication Classification
PRAVASTATIN (By mouth)
Pravachol (Oral) Brandname
Pravachol, Pravigard Pac
Pravachol (Oral) is used for the Treatment
Pravastatin (PRA-va-stat-in) Lowers high levels of cholesterol.
When To Not Use Pravachol (Oral)
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to pravastatin, or to similar medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®), cerivastatin (Baycol®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), lovastatin (Mevacor®), or simvastatin (Zocor®). You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver disease.
How Should You Use Pravachol (Oral)
Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
- You may take the medicine with or without food. Take the medicine in the evening or at bedtime, unless your doctor tells you differently. If a dose is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
- Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Proper Pravachol (Oral) Storage
Store Pravachol (Oral) at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture unless otherwise stated by manufacturer's instructions or labelling. Keep Pravachol (Oral) and all medications out of the reach of children.
What To Avoid While Using Pravachol (Oral)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), gemfibrozil (Lopid®), or cholestyramine (Questran®).
Pravachol (Oral) Warnings
- Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or a muscle disorder.
- Tell your doctor if you usually drink large amounts of alcohol.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
- Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor. You may need a special diet to keep your cholesterol levels from going up after you stop using the medicine.
Pravachol (Oral) Side Effects
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Muscle pain, weakness, or cramps
- Skin rash or hives
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Unexplained fever
- Yellow skin or eyes If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Headache
- Mild stomach upset, gas, indigestion
