Composition
Tab 10 mg/20 mg/40 mg: Pravastatin (as sodium salt) 10 mg/20 mg/40 mg.
Indications & Dosage
Adjunct to diet for primary hypercholesterolaemia or combined (mixed) hyperlipidaemias: Adult: 10-40mg daily to be taken at night, dose to be adjusted at intervals of at least 4 weeks. Children 8-14 yrs: 10 mg once daily at night, adjusted at intervals of at least 4 wk to max 20 mg once daily at night; 14-18 yrs: 10 mg once daily at night, adjusted at intervals of at least 4 wk to max 40 mg once daily at night. Prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with previous myocardial infarction or unstable angina, Adjunct to diet to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with hypercholesterolaemia: Adult: 40 mg daily, dose to be taken at night. Reduction of hyperlipidaemia in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy following solid-organ transplantation: Adult: Initially 20mg daily, increased if necessary up to 40 mg daily, dose to be taken at night, close medical supervision is required if dose is increased to max. dose.
Contraindications
Active liver disease. Adequate contraception must be used.
Precautions
Perform liver function tests during treatment, history of liver disease or heavy alcohol ingestion. Advise patients to report unexplained muscle weakness or pain; monitor creatine phosphokinase levels, renal impairment, hypothyroidism, history of muscle toxicity or muscle disorders, alcohol abuse.
Interactions
Cyclosporin, fibrates, nicotinic acid, macrolides. Take 1 hour before or 4 hour after cholestyra mine or colestipol.
Side Effects
Rash, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, non-cardiac chest pain, GI upset, fatigue, abnormal urination, dysuria, nocturia, urinary frequency. Rare: Fulminant hepatic necrosis