Pravachol may be prescribed for patients with dangerously high blood cholesterol levels. The generic brand for Pravachol is Pravastatin sodium. Pravachol will help to reduce a patient’s chance of having a heart attack, needing heart surgery, or dying of heart disease. It will help to slow down the effects of heart disease for patients who have hardening of the arteries. Pravachol will help to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by limiting new LDL cholesterol.

Pravachol will be prescribed if diet, exercise and weight loss don’t work. It is a supplement and should not be a substitute for an exercise plan or healthy diet plan. Combining a proper diet and exercise routine along with taking Pravachol will help to lower your cholesterol level.

Pravachol may be prescribed with Questran or Colestid, other cholesterol lowering medications, to have a better chance of lowering your cholesterol level. If you are prescribed either of the two medications along with taking Pravachol be sure to take them at separate times. Take Pravachol at least one hour before or four hours after taking one of the other medications.

You can take Pravachol any time during the day with or without food. Should you forget to take a dose then simply take it when you remember. However, if you remember to take it close to when you should be taking your next scheduled dose then skip the one you missed. Never take more than one dose at a time. Your doctor will check your cholesterol level every four weeks to see how well Pravachol is working.

Side effects are possible when taking Pravachol. Consult your doctor if you have any of the following side effects: chest pain, gas, muscle weakness or aches, urinary problems, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness fatigue, abdominal pain or vomiting.

Do not take Pravachol if you have liver disease, experience an allergic reaction to it, or are pregnant or plan to conceive. Since Pravachol is a cholesterol-lowering medication it may do harm to your growing fetus should you become pregnant. Additionally, do not take Pravachol if you are breastfeeding since it will end up in your breast milk and may harm your baby.

Be sure to store Pravachol at room temperature. Keep it in a securely closed contained away from light and moisture.
Pravachol is recommended for adults only.