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Pravachol |
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What is Pravachol and why is it prescribed? Pravachol is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it along with a cholesterol-lowering diet if your blood cholesterol level is dangerously high and you have not been able to lower it by diet alone. Pravachol works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Pravachol is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight-loss fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important to remember that Pravachol is a supplement, not a substitute, for those other measures. To get the full benefit of Pravachol, you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor. All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important because together they may lower your risk of heart disease. How should you take Pravachol? Follow your doctors directions for taking Pravachol. For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe Pravachol along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as Questran or Colestid. However, you must not take Pravachol at the same time of day as the other cholesterol-lowering drug. Take Pravachol at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking the other drug. Pravachol should be taken once daily. You may take it anytime, with or without food. Your doctor will probably do blood tests for cholesterol levels every 4 weeks to determine the effectiveness of the dose. If you miss a dose take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. Store Pravachol at room temperature, in a tightly closed container, away from moisture and light. Are there any Pravachol side effects? Pravachol side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Pravachol side effects may include abdominal pain, chest pain, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, gas, headache, heartburn, inflammation of nasal passages, muscle aching or weakness, nausea, rash, stomach or intestinal discomfort, urinary problems, and vomiting. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Pravachol? If Pravachol is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Pravachol with Cholestyramine (Questran), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Colestipol (Colestid), Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), Drugs that suppress the immune system (such as Sandimmune and Neoral), Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others), Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Itraconazole (Sporanox), Niacin (Niacor, Niaspan), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Are there any special warnings about Pravachol? Pravachol should not be used to try to lower high cholesterol that stems from a medical condition such as alcoholism, poorly controlled diabetes, an underactive thyroid gland, or a kidney or liver problem. Because Pravachol may cause damage to the liver, your doctor will probably do blood tests before you start taking the drug and whenever he plans a dosage increase. The doctor should monitor you especially carefully if you've recently had liver disease, if you have any symptoms that might mean liver disease, or if you're a heavy drinker. Since Pravachol may cause damage to muscle tissue, promptly report to your doctor any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or you just generally do not feel well. |
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