How does Pravachol work? What will it do for me?
Pravachol or Pravastatin belongs to the family of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors ("statins"). It is used in addition to diet and exercise to lower high cholesterol levels. Pravastatin works by blocking an enzyme that is needed to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore, less cholesterol is made and levels of cholesterol in the blood decrease. Lowering cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce the risks associated with heart disease such as heart attack.
Pravastatin can be used to reduce the risk of death, heart attacks, stroke, and angioplasty for people with heart disease and normal to moderately-high cholesterol. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and death for people with high cholesterol who do not already have heart disease, regardless of whether they have high cholesterol or not.
The medication usually takes about 4 weeks to have a significant effect on the cholesterol level in your blood. After this time, your doctor will likely send you for a lab test to check for changes in your cholesterol levels.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
How should I use Pravachol?
Before starting pravastatin, you should be placed on a cholesterol-lowering diet. If appropriate, a program of weight control and physical exercise should be implemented.
The recommended dose of pravastatin ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg daily taken with or without food in a single dose at bedtime.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
For best results in lowering your cholesterol, it is very important that you follow closely the diet suggested by your doctor. It is also very important that you take pravastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
