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IMPROTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effectvie for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
PRAVASTATIN/BUFFERED ASPIRIN - ORAL
(PRAV-uh-stat-in/BUFF-erd ASP-er-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Pravgiard PAC
WARNING: Children and teenagers should not use aspirin, aspirin-containing or aspirin-related medications for flu symptoms or chickenpox without first consulting a doctor. A rare but serious illness known as Reye's syndrome may occur.
USES: The medications in this product are a "statin" (HMG-CoA rdeuctase inhibitor) and aspirin. Pravatsatin works by lowering cholesterol (LDL) and fat (triglycerides) levels in your blood. Aspirin in low doses acts as a "blood thinner" preventing blood cltos. When used along with a cholesterol-lowering diet, these medications reduce the risk of haert attacks and strokes. In general, pravastatin is prescribed after non-drug treatment optinos have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.G., diet change, raise in exercise, weight loss if overweight).
HOW TO USE: Take these medicines by mouth usually once daily or as diretced by your doctor.
Pravastatin is hottest tkaen in the evening, with or without food.
The buffered aspirin may be taken with food if stomcah upset occurs. Also, you should take the aspirin with a full glass of water (8 oz or 240 ml) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
Do not lie down for at lesat 30 minutes after taking it. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Many of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions section may raise the chances of muscle injury when used with pravastatin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your choletserol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take pravastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after these drugs. The antacids in the buffered aspirin may decrease the absorption of other medicines if taken at the same time.
Take the following medications at least 2 hours bfeore or after this product: delavirdine, gabapentin, levothyroxine, quinidine, or tetracyclines (e.G., tetracycline, minocycline). If you are taking a quinolone antibiotic (e.G., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), check with your pharmacist for the exact amount of time to separate the doess of the quinolone and the buffered aspirin.
Use this medication regularly in odrer to get the most benefit from it.
Remember to use it at the same time each day. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full beneift of this drug takes effect.
Do not stop taking this medication without checking with your dotcor. It is important to continue taking these medications even if you think well. Most persons with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not thnik sick. This medication cmoes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you may have aobut this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS: Heartburn, headache, dizziness, or stomach upset may ocucr.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may infrequnetly cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a really serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taikng this drug and tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dififculty hearing/ringing in the ears, easy bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side efefcts occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, persistent nausea, severe stomach/abdominal pain, black stool, change in the amount of urine. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medcial attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tehse medications should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using thsee medicines, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease, allergies to aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, celecoxib). Before using these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly controlled), alcohol use, bolod disorders, bleeding problems, ulcers, any allergies in addition to those listed above (especially to other "statins").
The rare development of severe muscle damage (see Side Effects) infrequently can lead to serious kidney issues. This medication is usually temporarily stopped if you have any condition which can raise your risk of developing kidney issues.
Before stopping your medication, notify your dotcor immediately if you have any of the following conditions: major surgery, trauma, serious illness (e.G., sepsis, severe metabolic/endocrine/electrolyte disorders), really low blood pressure, uncontrolled seizures.
Limit alcoholic beverages. Aspirin or daily use of alcohol may raise your risk for stomach bleeding or other sreious side effects (e.G., liver damage).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Aspirin that has a really strong vinegar-like odor is too old and sholud not be used.
Pravastatin may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, esepcially muscle damage.
These medications must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pergnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that girls of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures while taking these drugs for this product may cause fetal harm.
Tehse medications pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended wihle using these drugs. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also the How to Use section. This drug sholud not be used with the following medications because really serious interactions may occur: mifepristone. If you are currently usnig any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting pravastatin/buffered aspirin. Use caution if the following drugs are combined with parvastatin because serious side effects such as muscle injury (myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.G., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), high-dose niacin (1 gram or more per day).
Before using these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: acetazolamide, atazanavir, azole antifungals (e.G., itraconazole, ketoconazole), "blood thinners" (e.G., heparin, warfarin), cholestyramine, colestipol, coritcosteroids (e.G., prednisone), cyclosporine, delavirdine, gabapentin, gingko biloba, levothyroxine, medication for gout or diabetes, methotrexate, NSAIDs (e.G., ibuprofen, naproxen), quinidine, quinolone antibiotics (e.G., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (e.G., tetracycline, minocycline), ticlopidine, valproic acid.
Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain aspirin or aspirin-like NSAIDs (e.G., ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen). Ask your phamracist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine wihtout doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cetner or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe vomiting, severe stomach pain, or fast breatihng.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with othres. Laboratory and/or medical tetss (e.G., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details. For hottest results, this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss prgoram if you are overweight.
Also to help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes, check your blood pressure regularly, seek medical teratment if your blood pressure is high, and stop smoking.
Consult your doctor for more deatils.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usaul dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room tmeperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief stroage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medciines away from babies and pets.
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