Primary Disease Name: Cholesterol
Primary Drug Name: Pravachol
Chemical Drug Name: Pravastatin Sodium
Pravachol Information - What is Pravachol?
Pravachol (Pravastatin) is a prescription drug for lowering cholesterol.
For people with high cholesterol, Pravachol, in combination with
diet, can reduce Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides
levels significantly.
Pravachol blocks the body's ability to make cholesterol. Pravachol
can help lower blood cholesterol for patients who are at risk of
getting heart disease or a stroke. It is only for patients whose
cholesterol level is not controlled by diet. It is not a cure. Generic
Pravachol tablets are not yet available.
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Pravachol Canada - Is Pravachol from Canada Safe?
Canadian Interenet Pharmacies with the CIPA
seal are a part of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association
Canada and only ship drugs that are of the highest quality, and
as safe as in the United States. Pravachol is one of the many drugs
that established Canadian Pharmacies deliver.
CIPA Certified Canadian Pharmacies dispense only Health Canada approved
prescription drugs such as Pravachol from Canada.
Health Canada is the equivalent to the US FDA and has standards
that match those of the FDA.
Prescription drugs from a Cipa Certified Canadian pharmacies are
just as good as those purchased in the United States and the generic
drugs, commonly purchased from online Canadian pharmacies, are of
the highest standard in the world. When purchasing your prescriptions
from an online Canadian Pharmacy you will notice that generic versions
of many popular brand names drugs are readily available.
Pravachol from Canada and other Prescription drugs from
Canada points to note:
- All Drugs are approved by Health Canada
- Health Canada is Canada's equivilent to the FDA
- Canadian Generics are of the highest quality in the world
- Prescrition medications from Canada really are of the highest
quality in the world
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Pravachol Side Effects
Pravachol Side Effects: If you are prescribed Pravachol
cholesterol medication, be sure to alert your doctor as soon as
possible if you have any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or
weakness. Pravachol cholesterol medication is generally very well-tolerated.
The side effects reported most often are gas, stomach pain, indigestion,
and constipation. These Pravachol side effects are usually mild and
temporary. DO NOT USE Pravachol IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Other Possible Pravachol Side Effects:
- gas
- stomach pain or cramps
- diarrhea
- constipation
- heartburn
- headache
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- rash or itching
- upset stomach
If you experience any of the following Pravachol symptoms, call
your doctor immediately:
- muscle pain
- tenderness
- weakness with or without fever and excessive
tiredness >/p>
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Pravachol Cholesterol Medication Mechanism of Action
Pravachol works by blocking the enzyme HMG-Co A Reducatse. This
enzyme is required to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore,
less cholesterol is made and the levels of cholesterol in the blood
decrease. By blocking this enzyme, Pravachol also helps the liver
to increase the breakdown of the “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Reduction of cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce
the risks associated with heart disease such as heart attacks and
strokes.
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Why is LDL Cholesterol "Bad"?
When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL (or total cholesterol levels of 4.7 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is the optimal level. Less than 130 mg/dL (total cholesterol of 5.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is near optimal for most people. A high LDL level (more than 160 mg/dL (6mmol/L) or 130 mg/dL (>5.2m/mol) or above if you have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Prescription drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Lescol (fluvastatin) have been shown to interfere in the synthesis of LDL by blocking an enzyme that helps produce cholesterol in the body.
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Diet and Benefits of Pravachol
Dietary intake of cholesterol includes the contribution of animal
fats found in red meat, cheese, cream and whole cream milk and from
cooking oils. Oils that possess a high concentration of saturated
fats such as palmitic oils (palm & cottonseed oils), stearic
oils (lards & dairy fats), myristic and lauric oils (coconut
and palm kernel oils & dairy fats) are known to contribute more
towards the development of heart disease as compared to the lower
saturated fat based oils such as those containing oleic acids (olive,
safflower & sunflower oils) and lioleic acids (Seed oils; grape
seed oil & walnut oil). Health care professionals discourage
the use of cooking oils that possess higher levels of saturated
fats (as these assist oxidation of LDL and foam cell formation).
In addition, animal fats are rich in saturated fatty acids that
promote the accumulation of cholesterol. Rich animal fats have an
inverse effect on the production of LDL receptors in the liver,
so the individual with a diet that is high in animal fat is increasing
the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Drugs such as the statins
(Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, Crestor, Pravachol, and Advicor) can
help to reduce the process of atherosclerosis by reducing LDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is known as "the bad cholesterol." Excess
LDL builds up on your arteries (called a fatty streak) and may lead
to heart disease. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the higher
the risk for developing heart disease. Lowering elevated LDL cholesterol
can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Pravachol can help to reduce
LDL cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, has earned the nickname
"the good cholesterol." That's because it is believed
to remove cholesterol from the blood. High levels of HDL in your
blood may help to reduce your risk of heart disease. A low level
can increase your risk of heart disease. Pravachol can help to increase
HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your bloodstream. Persons
with a high blood-triglyceride level have an increased risk of heart
disease. Pravachol helps to reduce triglyceride levels.
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Why is HDL Cholesterol "Good"?
About one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack. (Low HDL cholesterol levels [less than 40 mg/dL] increase the risk for heart disease.) Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.
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Pravachol Dose and Supply
Pravachol is available in three doses. Pravachol comes as a 10mg
tablet, 20mg tablet, and 40mg tablet in Canada. Pravachol is usually
recommended to be taken once daily at bedtime. Pravachol can be
taken with or without regards to meals.
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Pravachol Storage
Keep Pravachol in the container it came in, tightly closed, and
out of reach of children. Store Pravachol at room temperature and
away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw
away any Pravachol medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your Pravachol
medication.
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How To Take Pravachol
- Take pravastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- For the greatest effect, pravastatin is usually taken at
bedtime or with an evening meal. It may also be taken several times
a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
- Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with
blood tests before starting treatment with pravastatin and at twelve
weeks after both the start of your treatment and any increase in
dose. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine
how much monitoring you will require.
- Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To see beneficial effects
from pravastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
- It is important to take pravastatin regularly to get the
most benefit.
- Do not stop taking pravastatin without first talking to
your doctor. Pravastatin may need to be taken on a long-term basis
for the treatment of high cholesterol.
- Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical
evaluations during treatment with pravastatin to monitor progress
and side effects.
- Store pravastatin at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
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Pravachol Precautions
Before taking Pravachol/pravastatin,
Tell your doctor and Pravachol pharmacist if you are allergic to
Pravachol/pravastatin or any other drugs.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially antacids, cholestyramine
(Questran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin),
erythromycin, gemfibrozil (Lopid), itraconazole (Sporanox), niacin,
and vitamins.
I f you are taking cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid),
take pravastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medications.
Tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you
have or have ever had liver, kidney, or heart disease; a severe
infection; low blood pressure; or seizures.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Pravachol/pravastatin,
stop taking Pravachol/pravastatin and call your doctor immediately.
Pravachol/Pravastatin can harm the fetus.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor
or dentist that you are taking Pravachol/pravastatin.
Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking
this Pravachol drug. Alcohol increases the side effects caused by
Pravachol/pravastatin.
Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and
to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Pravachol/Pravastatin
may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
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More Pravachol Information
Pravachol has shown to be one of the most potent cholesterol reducing
drugs on the market. It is also possible to use a higher dose of
the older, less expensive cholesterol reducing agents to get a similar
effect to that of Pravachol . These drugs include LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN),
MEVACOR, ALTOCOR, Pravachol or ADVICOR (LOVASTATIN), ZOCOR (SIMVASTATIN),
LESCOL or LESCOL XL (FLUVASTATIN).
Pravachol is generally well tolerated and can be taken with many
other medicines. However, Pravachol may interact with certain other
cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g. Lopid or gemfibrozol).
Pravachol may also interact with other medications including some
antibiotics, some antifungal medicines, and immunosuppressive medications.
Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription
and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
Other Lipid lowering agents that are available and work differently
than the “statin” drugs include ZETIA (EZITIMIBE), LOPID
(GEMFIBROZOL), COLESTID (CHOLESTIPOL), TRICOR (FENOFIBRATE) and
QUESTRAN (CHOLESTYRAMINE).
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Side Effects- Celebrex
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Medication and Information - Advicor
Side Effects - Crestor
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