Prescription Drug Index
PRAVACHOL
This is a Brand Name Prescription Drug
Pravachol
Pronounced: PRAV-a-coll
Generic name: Pravastatin sodium
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.
High cholesterol can lead to heart problems. By lowering your cholesterol Pravachol improves your chances of avoiding a heart attack heart surgery and death from heart disease. In people who already have hardening of the arteries it slows progression of the disease and cuts the risk of acute attacks.
The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the bodys ability to form new LDL cholesterol.
ADULTS
The usual starting dose ranges from 10 to 20 to 40 milligrams once a day. If you have liver or kidney problems or are taking a medication that suppresses the immune system the doctor will start you at the low end of the range.
* Grapefruit juice or grapefruits should not be consumed while on this medication as increased side effects may result.
Note:
The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. This information regarding the following Canadian drugs is not intended to replace or act as a substitute for information or advice provided by your physician. You should always consult a physician before beginning a new medication. Moreover, prescription drugs should only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
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