Pravastatin 20 mg  

Pravastatin 20 mg is a drug therapy widely used in the management of hypercholesterolemia. It is effective as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides levels. The active ingredient is pravastatin sodium, which belongs to a group of medicines known as statins. These drugs are extremely effective in preventing the production of cholesterol by the liver thereby reducing the levels of cholesterol and other fats in the body. When there is an excessive amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream, the cholesterol accumulates along the wall of blood vessels and block the passage. This cause hardening of arteries also known as atherosclerosis. The condition may lead to cardiovascular events such as chest pain, a heart attack, and a stroke. Your doctor may ask you to take the lipid-lowering agent, if you had an organ transplant or are taking medicines to stop your body rejecting the transplant. You may be given to reduce increased lipid levels.

Usage Instructions

Always take your Pravastatin 20 mg tablet exactly as your health care specialist has instructed you. You must check with your health care professional. You may take the tablet before or after consuming food. Swallow the correct dose with a glass full of water. Speak to your doctor if you any doubt related to the correct use of the medicine.  The usual dose includes one tablet a day that should be best taken in the evening. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe a dose that suits you best. Your doctor will indicate the duration of treatment. You must need to use it regularly for as long as your doctor advises. Never stop your treatment by yourself as this may have dangerous consequences.

Precautions

Do not take Pravastatin if you have active liver disease, are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients of the medicine, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Also, avoid taking the lipid-lowering agent if several blood tests have shown abnormal liver functioning of the liver. Speak to your doctor if you notice side effects affecting your muscles while taking another cholesterol-lowering drug including fibrate or statins. Call your doctor straight away, in case of persistent muscle weakness.  The condition may need to be diagnosed and treated on time to avoid further complications. A group of cholesterol-lowering drugs such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, or nicotinic acid may result in an increased risk of developing muscle problems. Certain other drugs such as immunosuppressants, antibiotics, lipid-lowering agents, oral anticoagulants, and medicines to treat bacterial infections should also be avoided while using Pravastatin.

Side Effects of Pravastatin 20 mg

You must stop taking the tablet and seek immediate medical help if you experience hypersensitive reactions, muscle inflammation, tendon disorders, hepatitis, jaundice, or yellowish discoloration of the skin. Other possible side effects of the medicine include memory loss, depression, nightmares, dermatomyositis and breathing problems. If you get side effects associated with the use of Pravastatin, talk to your doctor.