In rare cases, pravastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of
skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to
. Call your doctor at once if you
have unexplained
in an unborn baby.
Do not use if
you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Do not take pravastatin if you have liver disease, or if you are breast-feeding.
Before taking pravastatin, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid,
kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or if you drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day.
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Pravastatin will not be as effective
in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking pravastatin. Alcohol can raise triglyceride
levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking pravastatin.
There may be other drugs that can interact with pravastatin. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor.
What is pravastatin?
Pravastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol
(a type of fat) in the body.
Pravastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the
blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries,
conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Pravastatin is used to treat high cholesterol. Pravastatin is also used to lower the risk of
stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with coronary heart disease.
Pravastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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