Pravastatin Sodium (Antihyperlipidemic)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Pravastatin Sodium?

Answer 1

Pravachol

Question 2

What dose tablets are available for Pravachol?

Answer 2

10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg

Question 3

What are the FDA indications for Pravachol?

Answer 3

Normal -statin indication
- Start with 10-20mg QD at bedtime. Adjust dose intervals of at least 4 weeks to a maximum of 40mg per day
To reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, coronary death, and myocardial revascularization
- Start with 10-20mg QD at bedtime. Adjust dose intervals of at least 4 weeks to a maximum of 40mg per day
For ages 13 & under: 20mg QD HS
For ages 14-18: 40mg QD HS

Question 4

What should the providers monitor in a patient taking Pravastatin?

Answer 4

Liver Function Tests

Lipid Panel

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action for Pravachol?

Answer 5

Pravastatin Sodium is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase

Question 6

What are the drug interactions of Pravastatin Sodium?

Answer 6

• Coadministration with gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid, erythromycin, or immunosuppressive agents may cause severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
• Coadministration with cholestyramine or colestipol chances the lipid-lowering effect of pravastatin although absorption decreases if given at the same time. Give pravastatin 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medications.
• Grapefruit juice has little to no effect on plasma levels

Question 7

What are the contraindications for Pravachol?

Answer 7

• Contraindicated during pregnancy or lactation
• Contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of serum transaminases
• Use with caution in patients with any amount of liver dysfunction and in patients who consumer large amounts of alcohol
• It is recommended that liver function tests be performed every 4-6 weeks during first 15 months of therapy and periodically thereafter
• Increases in serum transaminases of more than 3 times the normal level should warrant DC
• If serum transaminases d not decrease upon DC, a liver biopsy should be considered
• May cause optic nerve damage
• May cause myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
• Pregnancy Category X

Question 8

What are the adverse effects of Pravastatin Sodium?

Answer 8

Rash, MUSCLE PAIN, headache, influenza, and dyspepsia

Question 9

What should the RPh tell the patient when counseling on Pravachol?

Answer 9

• Contacts physician if symptoms of myopathy occur
• Closely follow prescribed diet
• Avoid overexposure to sunlight due to possibility of photosensitivity
• DO NOT become pregnant during therapy
• Limit alcohol intake during therapy
• If a dose is missed, take ASAP. If it is closer to the next dose than the missed dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses